Two years ago, our beloved Prime Minister vowed that he will repeal the Sedition Act 1948 and replace it with a National Harmony Act. Fast forward two years and we’re still clinging on to a promise (or a re-promise if you will) although there have been positive signs that the National Harmony Bill is slowly but surely getting ready for tabling
However, it was reported yesterday that most UMNO grassroots leaders are for the Sedition Act. Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, claimed 161 out of a total 191 divisions nationwide had voiced a desire to keep the pre-independence law in a recent survey undertaken by central Umno.
The news is not at all surprising as in recent times, UMNO leaders haven’t been charged with sedition despite making arguably seditious statements. We have Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement about a repeat of the May 13 racial riots, as well as Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi’s recent “non-malays are getting arrogant” rant
A joint statement made by a coalition of Malaysian NGOs in protest of the Sedition Act listed down those who have been charged under the draconian and archaic piece of legislation. They are:
1. David Orok – Member, Sabah Reform Party
2. Azmi Sharom – Law professor, University of Malaya
3. N. Surendran – Lawyer, Padang Serai MP
4. Khalid Samad – Shah Alam MP
5. R.S.N. Rayer – Lawyer, Seri Delima assemblyman
6. Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman – President, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia
7. Teresa Kok – Seputeh MP
8. Chua Tian Chang – Batu MP
9. Hishamuddin Rais – Social activist
10. Adam Adli – Student activist
11. Safwan Anang – Student activist
12. Haris Ibrahim – Lawyer/ Social activist
13. Tamrin Tun Abdul Ghafar – Political activist
14. Md Shuhaimi Shafie – Sri Muda assemblyman
Numerous others are being investigated, including:
1. Viktor Wong – Activist, Parti Rakyat Malaysia
2. Susan Loone – Journalist, Malaysiakini
3. Hassan Karim – Lawyer/ PKR Johor vice chairman
4. Rafizi Ramli – Pandan MP
5. Ali bin Jalil – Member of public
6. 17-year-old schoolboy (unnamed)
7. Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin – Changkat Jering assemblyman
It is undeniable that some of the aforementioned things said/done are controversial. But do we need the Sedition Act when we have the Penal Code (s.298, 298A, s.500) and the Defamation Act 1957 to deal with such sensitive matters?
To get a better view of whether to repeal/maintain the Sedition Act, it is necessary to do a nationwide referendum. A survey of the UMNO division heads nationwide would be insufficient to safely conclude that Malaysians want the Sedition Act to stay
A referendum is the most effective way to obtain public opinion as evidenced in Scotland, whereby on the 18th of September this year, Scottish citizens will be asked whether they want Scotland to go independent, thus leaving the United Kingdom. It is only logical that the rakyat are consulted about such a momentous thing
Similarly in our country, we should have a referendum about the future of the Sedition Act. The wishes of the majority should then be respected and acted upon. On my part, I am Joshua Wu Kai-Ming and I demand the abolition of the Sedition Act #MansuhAktaHasutan #AbolishSeditionAct
*This article also appeared at The Malaysian Insider, The Malay Mail Online, and Malaysiakini
Recent Updates:
(i) Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has made an about turn regarding his past pledges to abolish the Sedition Act 1948. Instead, he intends to strengthen it (27th November 2014)
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