Umno divisions want Sedition Act retained, ISA restored

Umno divisions nationwide have asked the government to retain the Sedition Act and restore the Internal Security Act (ISA), said Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

According to a survey by Central Umno, until yesterday 161 out of the total 191 Umno divisions have been voicing the matter.

"We have made a survey of the Umno division heads nationwide and they want the Sedition Act retained and the ISA restored.

"This number is expected to increase from one to another Umno division," he told reporters at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport here today.

Shahidan also said that there was a suggestion that the Sedition Act be amended to ensure stiffer penalties were imposed.

Meanwhile, when opening the Bachok Division Umno Youth delegates' meeting, Shahidan who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said stern action should be taken against Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, who continued to defend the Voluntary Patrol Team (PPS).

"Strict action should be imposed because PPS did not comply with the jurisdiction of the state security set under the federal government (because security came under the jurisdiction of the federal government).

On Sunday police arrested 156 PPS members, including its chairman who is also state welfare, caring society and environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh for not heeding the warning not to carry out activities as PPS was not registered with the Registrar of Societies.