Stop using Sedition Act: LDP Youth
Published on: Tuesday, September 23, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Youth urged the government to stop using the Sedition Act on comments, remarks and suggestions of the people that may result in a bigger outcry from the public.Its Chief, Tsang Hieng Yee said any continuation of this would not augur well for the present image of the government, not to mention that it may further promote wrong use of taxpayers' monies on the arrest, investigation and prosecution of unmerited and unfounded seditious cases.In a statement here, he said recently, there had been relentless arrests, investigation and prosecution of people from various disciplines such as politics, religion, legal profession and academics for allegedly making seditious statements or remarks under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.
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"It is to be recapitulated that the Sedition Act 1948 is a colonial law enacted at the time of the formation of the Federation of Malaya in year 1948 for the purpose of curbing opposition to colonial rule, which remains as effective law until to date."By reading the Act in its entirety and in accordance to its initial purpose, it is an Act enacted to regulate or supervise any activities or efforts that go to create chaos, hatred and ill feeling among the people of the country or between the people and the government. "Given the rather draconian and intimidating nature of the Act, the Act could be subject to misuse or misinterpretation," he said.One clear example of inappropriate usage of the Act was the imposition of the Act on people who were giving bona fide opinions, suggestions or comments be it for or against the interest of the government pertaining to the policies of the government or any current issues that are happening in the country.
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"In fact, such bona fide opinions, suggestions or comments are excluded from the wrath of the Act by Section 3(2) of the Act. "It is very pertinent to be aware that such comments, opinions or suggestions which are made in good faith, are actually made out as additional options or alternative solutions to the policies or the issues in question, even though the comments, opinions or suggestions may appear not in tune with the ideology of the government or at times, may even sound as a criticism to the government.
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"Be that as it may, such comments, opinions or remarks have definitely not reached the level of being seditious under the definition of the Act, but yet the makers of such comments, opinions and remarks have been arrested, investigated or in worst case scenario, prosecuted. "The imposition of the Act in these circumstances will inevitably give the public an impression of misuse of the Act or that the enforcers of the Act are using the Act to achieve its agenda, although, this may not be the real intention of the enforcers. "Be that as it may, fairness and justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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