We need a strict law, Kit Siang!

I concur with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that extremist racial and religious groups are taking advantage of the government's 'leniency' but that does not reflect the failure of promoting 1Malaysia concept.

The people are well aware of the consequences should the country fall prey to such groups but certain parties are riding on the 'no more ISA' and stricter action by the police and other authorities to provoke racial and religious sentiment.

THE Government has denied that it failed to practise or promote the 1Malaysia concept, saying that the administration has never stifled the people’s freedom of speech.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said perhaps this was why extremist groups and individuals emerged and were taking advantage of the situation.
“In order to curb the activities of such groups or individuals, the Government will take strict action against those involved under the Sedition Act 1948 and other existing laws,” he said in a written reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Gelang Patah) at the Dewan Rakyat.

Lim, who is DAP adviser, asked the minister if the 1Malaysia initiative failed because the Government seemed to be unable to stop the mushrooming of racial and religious extremist groups.
It was reported that the Government was still mulling over whether to amend the controversial Sedition Act 1948 or abolish it altogether.

Lim Kit Siang should ask himself that question, instead of casting doubt on the enforcement and the law. He should ask his colleagues in the opposition, the group of lawyers they have and the NGOs that move on the pretext of human rights.

He should also question why the Christians in Sabah and Sarawak want to 'take away' Allah from the Muslims on the pretext of wanting to promote Bahasa Malaysia in the country. The Muslims never recite any verses in the Al-Quran into Bahasa Malaysia in their prayers.

So, Zahid says the government will take strict action to curb such movements, and Kit Siang 'must learn' to support it, unless he and his friends want to see communal disarray and chaos throughout the country.

Even if we have to repeal the Sedition Act 1948, its replacement will contain more of less similar elements that would empower the police and the government to take action against those extremist.

We have enough problems, and we can't afford to have more. There is no discount on national security!