Najib repeats stand to repeal Sedition Act

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak again stressed his administration will go ahead with the abolishment of the Sedition Act and replace it with the National Harmony Act, as reported by Bernama today.

However the Prime Minister said, matters pertaining to religion and race will not be neglected in the new act.

This is because, he said, the government will not allow freedom without accountability especially on social media platforms especially when it concerns the different faiths of the people, the special privileges of the Malays and the Malay rulers.

“We must defend… (we are) not saying there is a new legislation and the rest will be put aside… but we will add in more appropriate provisions,” he said in his speech when opening the Jerlun Umno divisional delegates meeting at Sekolah Menengah Sains Kubang Pasu in Kedah.

According to Najib, there is a limit to freedom and openness and it must adhere to the principles of accountability because there must be maturity in thinking including on social media sites.

He said, the government has provided a space for the people to voice out their concerns including to comment on leader but, at the same time, there must be a limit so as not to destroy peace and national harmony.

“I want to issue a warning that the existing law will be imposed on anyone attempting to jeopardise peace. This is certainly in force,” he said.

Najib’s comments came on the heels of investigations and indictments on several Pakatan Rakyat leaders under the Sedition Act 1948 since two weeks ago.

Just this week, University of Malay lecturer, Prof Madya Dr Azmi Sharom had been charged under the same act while Malaysiakini reporter, Susan Loone had been detained for investigation and later released on Thursday.

On Friday, former student leader, Safwan Anang had been sentenced to 10 months in jail by the Kuala Lumpur Session Court after he was found guilty of uttering seditious words during a rally held on May 13, 2013.

Najib had first announced the repeal of the act in a speech in July 2012.

“The provisions proposed in the National Harmony Act will stress on inculcating the spirit of harmony and mutual respect in the Malaysian society made up of various races and religions,” he said at the time.