Perkasa hopes retaining Sedition Act is not mere rhetoric

Perkasa welcomed the announcement made by UMNO president, Datuk Seri Najib Razak in maintaining the Sedition Act 1948.

However, its president, Datuk Ibrahim Ali hoped that Najib would truly implement what was said and not mere rhetoric.

He said, the Sedition Act should be strengthened by including the spirit of the Internal Security Act (ISA) which is detention without trial.

Ibrahim added that the power of detention without trial does not lie in the hands of the Home Minister in order for authorities to have a more effective instrument for addressing national security issues.

“Apart from that also incorporating Part 3, Article 152, 153, 181, Article 3, Article 8 (4) (C), Article 8 (4) (f) Article 11 (4) Article 12, Article 121 (1A) and / or Table 9 List 11 of the Federal Constitution and others by amending Section 114 (g) of the Evidence Act where the court may make the assumption / conclusion that it is seditious act if touches Article 2 which is listed above,” he said in a statement.

Ibrahim said that the punishment should also be amended under Section 3(1) of the Sedition Act with the mandatory two caning, not less than five years and not more than 25 years in prison.

UMNO president in his keynote address earlier today announced that the Sedition Act 1948 will be maintained and strengthened.

Najib said the decision was taken after consulting various parties.