Call to maintain Sedition Act dominates assemblies of three UMNO wings

In fact, the three wings unanimously agreed for the Act to be maintained, empowered and added value.

All delegates even viewed the Act as the final fort to protect sensitive matters as enshrined in the Federal Constitution from being ridiculed after the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the government should continue with the plan to introduce the National harmony Act, while at the same time maintain and improve the existing Sedition Act.

She said the proposed introduction of the National Harmony Act was aimed at promoting and boosting the the spirit of harmony and mutual respect among the multi-racial and multi-religious people in the country.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said if the Sedition Act were to be amended or improved, the government should maintain the main provisions that prohibit and permit punishment of seditious speeches or behaviour.

He said the provisions were power and shields, not only for Malays, but also for the general Malaysian public.

"Whatever that is being done on the Sedition Act and whatever name given to it later, we want the power in it to be maintained and become the shields for all of us," he said.

The Kedah Puteri Umno, on the other hand, called on the government to empower the Sedition Act to check the activities of keyboard warriors, who spread rumour via the new media with the aim to jeopardise national peace.

Kubang Pasu Puteri chief Rosliza Hasan said the government should amend several provisions in the Act so that the public could not use the media arbitrarily to create public anxiety.

"National harmony and solidarity must be preserved. Matters concerning religion as enshrined in Article 153 is very sensitive. The key to national development and progress is solidarity and harmony," she said.