Finally! The much-awaited decision on the Sedition Act 1948 is here.
The Opposition (Pakatan Rakyat) will not like it. Its leader Anwar Ibrahim is criticising it. Soon, we will hear it from Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Hadi Awang, Mat Sabu, Khalid Samad and others. Also, the Bar Council, Sisters in Islam, anti-government NGOs, Suaram, Aliran and human rights groups.
But what the heck. Prime Minister and Umno President Najib Tun Razak is a wiser man today. Not that he has been under tremendous pressure by friends in Umno for the Act to be retained but after realising what he did (by repealing the Internal Security Act in 2011) was 'not very right'.
(Also read Rocky's Bru)
Let the critics come, Najib! Its time to ignore them. Our priority - national security and stability.
The proposal initially aimed to look for a mechanism that would ensure the best continuity between the need to ensure freedom of speech and the need to tackle the complexity of the plural society in Malaysia.
However, the suggestion was met with opposition from various quarters who gave critical views calling for the act to be retained to tackle issues that could cause racial and religious tension.
Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin said Barisan Nasional will engage the relevant parties on any amendments to strengthen the Sedition Act 1948, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
The Opposition Leader, who was once an ISA detainee himself, flayed Najib for deciding against repealing the Sedition Act, and said this was proof that the prime minister is unable to stick to his reform agenda.
We have seen how they took advantage of the 'Malaysia without ISA' by provoking racial and religious sentiments, elements that might cause public chaos and bloodshed. Wonder if they want to see it happen.
Yes, Najib did make a promise back then to repeal the Sedition Act but those who wanted ISA to go had also broke their promise not to resort to dirty and provocative politics. Promises (some of it) are meant to be broken, right?
So, we win some, we lose some...
The Opposition (Pakatan Rakyat) will not like it. Its leader Anwar Ibrahim is criticising it. Soon, we will hear it from Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Hadi Awang, Mat Sabu, Khalid Samad and others. Also, the Bar Council, Sisters in Islam, anti-government NGOs, Suaram, Aliran and human rights groups.
But what the heck. Prime Minister and Umno President Najib Tun Razak is a wiser man today. Not that he has been under tremendous pressure by friends in Umno for the Act to be retained but after realising what he did (by repealing the Internal Security Act in 2011) was 'not very right'.
(Also read Rocky's Bru)
Let the critics come, Najib! Its time to ignore them. Our priority - national security and stability.
After listening to and considering the views of the public, including Umno members, the Prime Minister today said the Sedition Act 1948 is maintained with improvements to include two special provisions to further strengthen the act.Suggestions to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 was first made in July 2012, and will be replaced by a new act to be known as the National Harmony Act.
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the special provisions aimed to preserve the sanctity of Islam and other religions as well as prosecute those who called for the separation of Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia.
"The Sedition Act will be maintained. Moreover, it will be strengthened," he said when delivering his policy speech at the Umno General Assembly 2014 at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
The stand of the Umno-led government caused 2,752 delegates to stand and cheer 'Setuju!' (agree) in favour of the decision made by the president of the biggest Malay party in the country which has a total of 3.47 million members.
"This is our aspiration and I believe others in the Barisan Nasional leadership are with us, so enforcement must be fair for us to create a more peaceful, stable and harmonious country," said the Umno president.
The president's policy speech featured a video presentation for the first time on seditious articles and photos which insulted Islam, the Malay race and the monarchy system.
The proposal initially aimed to look for a mechanism that would ensure the best continuity between the need to ensure freedom of speech and the need to tackle the complexity of the plural society in Malaysia.
However, the suggestion was met with opposition from various quarters who gave critical views calling for the act to be retained to tackle issues that could cause racial and religious tension.
Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin said Barisan Nasional will engage the relevant parties on any amendments to strengthen the Sedition Act 1948, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
"That is for certain. When it involves something that is being done with the people's welfare in mind, it has been common practice for the government to engage all stakeholders.Anwar, as usual lambasted the decision by describing Putrajaya’s U-turn on its 2012 pledge to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 as 'dragging Malaysians back' into the “days of the ISA”.
"For example, there are those suggesting a repeal of the Sedition Act, saying it is an outdated and draconian law, so (we) must engage and convince them that this is not the case," Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, told a press conference at Umno annual general assembly on Thursday.
He praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for being responsive to the voices calling for the Act to be retained, reiterating that the main objective was to ensure peace and harmony for Malaysians.
The Opposition Leader, who was once an ISA detainee himself, flayed Najib for deciding against repealing the Sedition Act, and said this was proof that the prime minister is unable to stick to his reform agenda.
He called the move a “regressive” one, and accused Najib of bowing to pressures from right-wing elements in ruling party Umno.I think its better bowing to the 'right wing elements' than to the 'leftists' in the Opposition, their NGOs and foreign-sponsored organisations.
“This is his failure as a leader, as PM and as president of Umno.“His weak leadership has resulted in him caving in to demands of the right-wingers of his own party,” Anwar told Malay Malay Online when contacted.
We have seen how they took advantage of the 'Malaysia without ISA' by provoking racial and religious sentiments, elements that might cause public chaos and bloodshed. Wonder if they want to see it happen.
Yes, Najib did make a promise back then to repeal the Sedition Act but those who wanted ISA to go had also broke their promise not to resort to dirty and provocative politics. Promises (some of it) are meant to be broken, right?
So, we win some, we lose some...