How long more is the Sedition Act going to be under review for amendments?

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) questioned how long more would the Sedition Act be under review for amendment or would there be a new law replacing it.

“If the said Act is indeed under review or is on the brink of being amended as claimed by Saifuddin, why is it still being used by the authorities today?

“Continuing to use a law under review or which needs to be amended undermines public confidence in the government’s commitment towards reform,” he said in a statement.

“I have stated on various occasions in the past that the said Act, a relic of British colonial rule, is archaic, outdated, draconian and ought to be repealed.

“Even the United Kingdom, from which the said Act was inherited, abolished it in 2009 while Singapore, which also inherited the said Act, repealed it in 2021.

“In light of the above, it is high time that the government discloses the status of the review process of the said Act and when amendments to it will be tabled or debated or if it will be replaced with legislation to specifically protect the Royal Institution.

“It has been nearly 3 years since the government announced that the said Act will be reviewed and Malaysians have the right to know if this promise will be fulfilled instead of being further delayed.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a written reply to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) explained that the use of Sedition Act are selective and limited. The minister also said the Sedition Act is under review to be amended in 2024.

Ramkarpal who is also DAP’s legal bureau chief then pointed out that Saifuddin’s explanation did not add up in the case of ex-FMT journalist Rex Tan.

“The Minister went on further to state that the said Act would continue to be used sparingly, while it is being reviewed, only in cases involving the Royal Institution and national sovereignty.

“This begs the question why former FMT journalist Rex Tan was recently investigated under the said Act when what he allegedly said did not touch on any of the above categories, namely the Royal Institution or national sovereignty.

“The government had stated in July, 2023 that the said Act is under review to ensure it applied only to protect the Royal Institution.”