Stay out of sedition debates, Abdul Rahman tells the US
Published on: Monday, October 20, 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: Local Government and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, told Washington to stay out of Malaysia's debate on the Sedition Act, reminding the superpower not to interfere or question Putrajaya's use of the colonial-era law. He said Malaysia was a sovereign nation and should be given the right to decide on the laws necessary to maintain peace in a multiracial country."I remind all parties, including the United States, that our country's future, security and harmony between the races are not their responsibility. "It is ours, so let us bear this burden and responsibility," the Minister said."Leave us to make the decision whether to retain or abolish the Sedition Act," he said. In a statement issued through the US embassy here, Washington reminded Putrajaya to keep its promise to repeal the act. It said the US government had taken note of Thursday's march by the Malaysian Bar which is calling for a repeal of the act and had sent observers to the protest with other diplomats, it said.ADVERTISEMENT "We recognise that the peaceful nature of this protest reflected efforts of the Bar Council and Malaysian authorities."The United States remains concerned with the Malaysian government's use of sedition laws. We welcomed Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Najib Razak's announcement in 2012 of his intention to repeal the Sedition Act and encourage the government to follow through on that commitment," the statement said.Putrajaya was urged to apply the rule of law fairly, transparently and apolitically to promote confidence in Malaysia's democracy, judiciary and economy.The US also said its officials have, and would continue to, raised concerns about the rule of law and human rights with the Malaysian government.ADVERTISEMENT Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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But Rahman said the US was in no position to tell Malaysia what to do, as it, too, had its own laws that were draconian, such as the Patriot Act against terrorism."The US has laws that stifle freedom, are drastic and draconian, like the Patriot Act. Therefore, it should not question the Sedition Act," Rahman said.