Move unlikely to deter the activists: Yong

KOTA KINABALU: Former Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the move to retain the Sedition Act was unlikely to silence those calling for greater rights for Sabah and secession.Yong, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President, said individuals in groups such as the Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) would likely continue to champion their cause as their grouses were not being addressed.

The Prime Minister had announced that the Sedition Act would be retained with the inclusion of two special provisions aimed at protecting the sanctity of Islam and other religions apart from prosecuting those who incited for the separation of Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia.

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said apart from having preventive laws such as the Sedition Act, it was also necessary to continuously cultivate the spirit of nationhood among Malaysians.

"We must have the commitment in strengthening the nation," said Pairin, the Deputy Chief Minister.

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Earlier, United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) acting President Datuk Wilfred Tangau said among the measures that should be taken in strengthening the Act was to ensure that its enforcement was not biased.

He said the Act could also be given more bite if amendments were made to see that anyone found to have insulted any religion could face legal action.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Datuk Teo Chee Kang said he welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement that the Sedition Act would be more relevant to make it effective in dealing with racial and religious issues.

"The new provisions will ensure that all faiths would not be insulted or mocked by any quarter," he said.

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"Although there it had been announced that the Act would be repealed, at the end of the day what we are looking is achieving a certain objective," he added.

"What is important is achieving the means to an end, it's not the end itself," Teo said.

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