Amendments to sedition act to create absolute security - Zahid

The public should not view amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 from the technical aspect as they were made to create absolute security in this country.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Saturday, the amended act did not replace the Internal Security Act (ISA) as it was to pre-empt problems in future.

"We want to avoid problems in future and now because religious, racial harmony and absolute security need to be created by amending the Sedition Act.

"There are no ISA elements as it is a preventive law which imposes heavy penalties as we cannot compromise on issues that threaten national security," he said during a visit to the construction site of Johor Police Headquarters here.

Parliament passed amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 after 14 hours of debate at policy and committee levels, a first since 1975.

Ahmad Zahid said the amendments were to address religious insults and racial slurs in the social media, tackle militant groups recuriting Malaysians and address action that destroy property.

"In the past, this can only be done via the print and electronic media or talks but today it can be done via the social media," he added.

Meanwhile, the RM72.8 million Johor Police headquarters is due for completion by Aug 2016 after a change of contractor since Feb 2014.

He said the previous contractor who abandoned the project had been blacklisted by the ministry.