Sedition Act is to safeguard multi-racial country, says Wisma Putra

The government’s decision to retain and strengthen the Sedition Act 1948 is to to preserve the peace and stability of a country of multi-race and culture, said Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Anifah Aman.

‎He said it is the government’s responsibility to protect the country’s development and prosperity and the people’s well-being.

“Thus appropriate laws need to be in place to tackle issues that could cause racial and religious tension and curb detrimental acts that could breach the harmony enjoyed by all Malaysians,” said Anifah in a statement released late today evening.

He added, that the government is confident that that the Sedition Act would protect the interest of every Malaysian. The government is also confident that it is needed to prevent racial and religious extremism.

Anifah was commenting on a statement made by United States vice president, Joe Biden early today morning which stated his concern over the government’s decision to retain the Sedition Act 1948.

Biden views the decision on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy appeal is the main opportunity for Malaysia to ‘rectify the situation to boost confidence on democracy and judiciary system.

The Federal Court had earlier postponed to another date the final decision on Anwar’s appeal case against the conviction and sentence for the offence of sodomizing his former personal aid, Mohd. Saiful Bukhari Azlan, six years ago.

During the UMNO General Assembly last week, Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced the government’s decision to retain the Sedition Act with some improvements.

Najib said the move was made to protect the sensitivities of all people and not only protect the rights of Muslims and Malays but also for the non-Muslim and non-Malay communities.