The Government is in the midst of drafting a new law on matters relating to sedition and will still use the Sedition Act 1948 on matters pertaining to the offence.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nancy Shukri said, although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had repeatedly mentioned about repealing the act, a new act is still in the drafting process.
“The Prime Minister had said the Sedition Act will be repealed but it cannot be removed until a replacement is put in place.
“We are in the process of amending the act. At the moment we have no other act relating to the offence, so we need to depend on this act. We will not however take over the process currently being carried out by the Attorney-General,” she said.
Nancy was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR, Permatang Pauh) in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
Anwar had originally asked whether the Government’s move in charging several Pakatan Rakyat leaders including several MPs, activists and academicians with sedition was in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment in making the country more democratic.
“The Government has always been committed to curb irresponsible acts and as such anyone found raising issues that can cause anger or public disorder, will be subject to legal action.
“Action on the individual will not take into account his or her status or background, and the laws in place will ensure that social harmony is preserved,” Nancy said.
Datuk Abdul Latif Ahmad (BN, Mersing) meanwhile lashed out at Anwar, the democracy practised in PKR cannot be used to be made an example by the people and added several examples including the suspension of several of its members in Selangor in his argument.
Nancy however clarified that the freedom of speech is still guaranteed under the Constitution but it is not an absolute right.
“The limitations on freedom of speech and expression is not only practised in Malaysia, countries which had pioneered the principles of democracy have their own restrictions,” she said.
Nancy added the Government will also look into such cases based on facts and not on the individual’s background, religion or political affiliation.
“We only take action and not choose anyone. As long as our actions conform to the laws in place, apart from making a fair decision.
“We are not favourable to any side to ensure that justice is served,” she said.
Nancy was replying to a supplementary question by Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN, Kinabatangan) regarding the people’s frustration with several departments in enforcing the Sedition Act 1948.
Previously Nancy had reportedly said the Government will not abolish the Sedition Act 1948 in the near future despite being urged by several quarters to promptly repeal the act.
She said the act was still important in maintaining security, harmony and racial unity in the country and the Government needed time to draft The National Harmony Bill which will be used to replace the Sedition Act.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nancy Shukri said, although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had repeatedly mentioned about repealing the act, a new act is still in the drafting process.
“The Prime Minister had said the Sedition Act will be repealed but it cannot be removed until a replacement is put in place.
“We are in the process of amending the act. At the moment we have no other act relating to the offence, so we need to depend on this act. We will not however take over the process currently being carried out by the Attorney-General,” she said.
Nancy was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR, Permatang Pauh) in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
Anwar had originally asked whether the Government’s move in charging several Pakatan Rakyat leaders including several MPs, activists and academicians with sedition was in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment in making the country more democratic.
“The Government has always been committed to curb irresponsible acts and as such anyone found raising issues that can cause anger or public disorder, will be subject to legal action.
“Action on the individual will not take into account his or her status or background, and the laws in place will ensure that social harmony is preserved,” Nancy said.
Datuk Abdul Latif Ahmad (BN, Mersing) meanwhile lashed out at Anwar, the democracy practised in PKR cannot be used to be made an example by the people and added several examples including the suspension of several of its members in Selangor in his argument.
Nancy however clarified that the freedom of speech is still guaranteed under the Constitution but it is not an absolute right.
“The limitations on freedom of speech and expression is not only practised in Malaysia, countries which had pioneered the principles of democracy have their own restrictions,” she said.
Nancy added the Government will also look into such cases based on facts and not on the individual’s background, religion or political affiliation.
“We only take action and not choose anyone. As long as our actions conform to the laws in place, apart from making a fair decision.
“We are not favourable to any side to ensure that justice is served,” she said.
Nancy was replying to a supplementary question by Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN, Kinabatangan) regarding the people’s frustration with several departments in enforcing the Sedition Act 1948.
Previously Nancy had reportedly said the Government will not abolish the Sedition Act 1948 in the near future despite being urged by several quarters to promptly repeal the act.
She said the act was still important in maintaining security, harmony and racial unity in the country and the Government needed time to draft The National Harmony Bill which will be used to replace the Sedition Act.
