It's for absolute peace and harmony. That's what the amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 is all about. Even the Prevention Of Terrorism Act (POTA) is to keep the country save from any threats to its security.
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However, there are objections to such effort in ensuring Malaysia is peaceful and stable nation , free from communal tension and foreign provocation.
The opposition, its NGOs and international human rights groups were fast to label such laws as replacements for the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA). They are the ones who want absolute security and stability but are against strict preventive and punitive laws.
To them, it's better to allow bombs explode and kill some people first before the police can hunt and nab those responsible. But still, they too are against any move by the police to lock up the suspects until proofs are established to take them to court.
But this is what Suhakam, the Bar Council and the opposition want. What will Bar Council president S Thiru do when he is faced with such a situation? Stop the police from 'keeping' the suspect?
A good 'rotten' idea, right? By the time investigation takes its course, more bombs will be detonated, claiming more lives. To the critics, everything preventive and punitive is ISA! To people like Thiru, Ambiga and others - let it happen first, right?
The critics are usually the ones who seek help from the police when they are confronted with security problems i.e burglary, theft, rape etc. And they would even blame the police if actions came a little bit late.
However, we are thankful to some Pakatan Rakyat's Members of Parliament (MPs) who deliberately 'disappeared'on the day amendments to the Sedition Act went on vote.
What led to the 'missing in action' or MIA can be easily understood - they did support the law! Of course they couldn't put up their hands during the voting as it would 'betray' their comrades who were againts it.
So, the best way was 'absent'. A good one!
At least, some of them are aware of the threats to national stability and security. Without a preventive and punitive law, there is no guarantee that disasters that struck some countries will not happen in our country.
The fact that almost 100 Malaysians were arrested for their alleged involvement with the Islamic State (IS) is not a small matter.
And the deteriorating national integration over then increase in hate speech and slur - especially on the social media - demands us to gag it immediately or it will snowball into a religion and racial time bombs!
Must we still take a 'wait and see' approach?
Some people just don't want a peaceful nation. They won't be at ease to see Malaysians of all race and religion walk hand-in-hand. They can't sleep well watching places like KLCC and KLIA keep hosting thousands of tourists (especially foreigners).
So, what do we do with them? And what do we call them?
The opposition, its NGOs and international human rights groups were fast to label such laws as replacements for the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA). They are the ones who want absolute security and stability but are against strict preventive and punitive laws.
To them, it's better to allow bombs explode and kill some people first before the police can hunt and nab those responsible. But still, they too are against any move by the police to lock up the suspects until proofs are established to take them to court.
But this is what Suhakam, the Bar Council and the opposition want. What will Bar Council president S Thiru do when he is faced with such a situation? Stop the police from 'keeping' the suspect?
A good 'rotten' idea, right? By the time investigation takes its course, more bombs will be detonated, claiming more lives. To the critics, everything preventive and punitive is ISA! To people like Thiru, Ambiga and others - let it happen first, right?
JOHOR BAHARU, April 11 (Bernama) - The public should not view amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 from the technical aspect as they were made to create absolute security in this country.As long as the government listens to such critics, nothing would be done for the peace and security of the nation. So, Zahid is right. We should stop paying attention to them.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Saturday, the amended act did not replace the Internal Security Act (ISA) as it was to pre-empt problems in future.
"We want to avoid problems in future and now because religious, racial harmony and absolute security need to be created by amending the Sedition Act.
"There are no ISA elements as it is a preventive law which imposes heavy penalties as we cannot compromise on issues that threaten national security," he said during a visit to the construction site of Johor Police Headquarters here.
Parliament passed amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 after 14 hours of debate at policy and committee levels, a first since 1975.
Ahmad Zahid said the amendments were to address religious insults and racial slurs in the social media, tackle militant groups recuriting Malaysians and address action that destroy property.
The critics are usually the ones who seek help from the police when they are confronted with security problems i.e burglary, theft, rape etc. And they would even blame the police if actions came a little bit late.
However, we are thankful to some Pakatan Rakyat's Members of Parliament (MPs) who deliberately 'disappeared'on the day amendments to the Sedition Act went on vote.
What led to the 'missing in action' or MIA can be easily understood - they did support the law! Of course they couldn't put up their hands during the voting as it would 'betray' their comrades who were againts it.
So, the best way was 'absent'. A good one!
At least, some of them are aware of the threats to national stability and security. Without a preventive and punitive law, there is no guarantee that disasters that struck some countries will not happen in our country.
The fact that almost 100 Malaysians were arrested for their alleged involvement with the Islamic State (IS) is not a small matter.
And the deteriorating national integration over then increase in hate speech and slur - especially on the social media - demands us to gag it immediately or it will snowball into a religion and racial time bombs!
Must we still take a 'wait and see' approach?
Some people just don't want a peaceful nation. They won't be at ease to see Malaysians of all race and religion walk hand-in-hand. They can't sleep well watching places like KLCC and KLIA keep hosting thousands of tourists (especially foreigners).
So, what do we do with them? And what do we call them?