US Embassy: Decision to retain Sedition Act further restricts freedom of speech

What has changed in the country, in the past two years, since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak boldly made the announcement’s to repeal the Sedition Act 1948, that he has to go back on his words?

This is the question raised by the United States Embassy (US) Public Affairs Counselor in Kuala Lumpur Frank Whitaker, in response to US vice president Joseph Biden’s recent tweets on the colonial-era Act.

Whitaker explained that Najib’s stand to not abolish the Act seems that he is ' further restricting the freedom of speech in the country.'

“He (Biden) was speaking on behalf of the vice presidency. It reflects on the United States’ concerns on the Sedition Act.

“We have concerns about the freedom of speech and the judiciary system of Malaysia. We have concerns that Najib’s announcement is further restricting these especially with the recent charges and investigations under the Sedition Act.

“The question is, what has changed in the past two years since Najib’s announcement to abolish the Act until he has to back track on the promise. We do not wish to comment on what has changed, but the United States government is merely stating our concern,” he told Astro AWANI today.

Biden also questioned the use of the Sedition Act, describing it as a move to stifle the opposition and saying that it raises the rule of law.

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 statements were made on his Twitter account and these entries ended with ‘vp’ – an indication that Biden had personally written the Twitter messages himself.

Najib first announced the plan to abolish the act in June 2012, to be replaced by a National Harmony Act.

This seems to be a 'thing of the past' especially at the recently-concluded UMNO Annual General Meeting (AGM), Najib announced that the Sedition Act would be not only be retained but also strengthened and improved.