Sedition Act not intended to curb freedom of expression: Anifah

The government's decision to retain the Sedition Act is not intended to curb freedom of expression but to prevent actions that go overboard and are seditious that incite hatred and extremism.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman stressed that the government had acted in the best interest of the country and its people by retaining the Sedition Act which would bring benefits to the country for continued growth, prosperity and inter-racial harmony as well as hinder religious extremism and racialism.

"Malaysia is deeply concerned with the statement made by His Excellency John Baird, Canada Foreign Affairs Minister on the freedom of expression in Malaysia in relation to the Government of Malaysia's decision to retain and strengthen the Sedition Act 1948," he said in a statement Thursday.

Anifah said Malaysia would like to reiterate that the decision to retain and strengthen the Sedition Act is in the interest of preserving peace and stability and to ensure that no parties would incite religious and racial tension that could jeopardize the prosperity and security of the country.

Baird, two days ago was reporterd to have urged the Malaysian government not to wield the Sedition Act undemocratically to silence its critics.

Baird said freedom of expression was essential to any democracy, and they looked forward to seeing progress on that issue.