Sedition Act 1948 – SUARAM – Suara Rakyat Malaysia

Muhyiddin Failing Peoples’ Reform Agenda

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) is appalled by the statement by Muhyiddin Yassin on the Sedition Act 1948 and call for the government to reinstate the moratorium on the Sedition Act 1948.

The Sedition Act 1948 is a draconian law introduced by the colonial government to restrict and suppress political dissidence. Under Barisan Nasional, the law was abused to silence political opponents, human rights activists and others that voiced out against the injustice perpetrated by Barisan Nasional.

Promote Freedom of Expression, Not Sedition Act 1948

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) condemn the arrests and investigation under the Sedition Act 1948 by the Royal Malaysian Police and the deafening silence to the continued use of the Sedition Act 1948 by the Pakatan Harapan administration.

The investigation and attempts to criminalize against alleged obscene or rude messages by individuals against the royal institution is a violation of freedom of expression and the Pakatan Harapan administration should not propagate and enable the culture of censorship and criminalization of expression that was practised by its predecessor.

No More Excuses, Moratorium against Draconian Laws Immediately

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) is appalled by the statement by Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad with regards to the repeal of the Sedition Act 1948.

The Sedition Act 1948 is a colonial heritage that has restricted freedom of expression throughout its existence and continues to harass human rights defenders and political activists today. The Barisan Nasional administration itself recognized the flawed nature of the Sedition Act 1948 and promised to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 during the 3^rd Universal Periodic Review for Malaysia. While the Barisan Nasional has since retracted that position for their political interest, the spirit for the repeal of the Sedition Act 1948 did not disappear with the ‘U-turn’ by Barisan Nasional.

Police Intimidation Must Stop!

For Immediate Release
31st March 2016

Police Intimidation Must Stop!
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) condemns the Royal Malaysian Police’s investigation and questioning of the members of the Malaysian Bar Council under the Sedition Act 1948 for fulfilling the role expected of the Malaysian Bar Council in line with the statutory obligations and limitations imposed upon them under the Legal Profession Act 1976.

Once again, the Royal Malaysian Police has decided to spearhead another crackdown against dissenters on behalf of the Government of Malaysia. There is no sound justification for members of the Malaysian Bar to be investigated and called for questioning for demanding the resignation of a public official. The notion that the motion passed by the Malaysian Bar Council could be construed as seditious is unfathomable and perverse.

In the absence of sound justifications, the investigation and questioning of the Secretary of the Malaysian Bar, Karen Cheah Yea Lynn and members of the Malaysian Bar, Charles Hector Fernandez; Francis Pereira; and Shanmugam a/l Ramasamy can only be interpreted as a malicious attempt to intimidate and silent dissent. The Royal Malaysian Police should remember that it is not their duty to ‘protect’ any public official from criticisms.

On this note, SUARAM demands for the Royal Malaysian Police to cease its harassment against the Malaysian Bar Council and issue a public apology to the Malaysian Bar for this debacle. Failure to take appropriate remedial steps for this gross mistake in judgment would only serve to invalidate the claim made by the Inspector-General of Police’s claim that the Royal Malaysian Police is always professional.

In Solidarity,
Sevan Doraisamy
Executive Director
SUARAM

Sedition Strikes Again: Release Khairul Nizam!

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) strongly condemn the arrests and remand of Khairul Nizam (also known as Aduka Teruna) and the arrests of the lady in Kluang under the Sedition Act 1948.

Khairul Nizam was remanded to assists with investigation for a statement made by him in relation to the arrest of Khalid Ismath in October 2015. Despite 2015 coming to an end in a few days, persecution under the Sedition Act 1948 remains at an all-time high with enforcement agencies working over-time into the festive season.

Considering the willing cooperation shown by Khairul Nizam and the festive season which we find ourselves in, SUARAM implore the Royal Malaysian Police to release Khairul Nizam and conduct the investigation without remanding him in Dang Wangi.

Further, the arrests and remand of individuals under the Sedition Act 1948 for inflammatory statement made against enforcement agencies such the Royal Malaysian Police is a worrying development that must not persists. Incident such as the arrest made in Kluang[1] should not and must not be the norm of Malaysia.

SUARAM would like to remind the Government of Malaysia of the promise it had made in the Universal Periodic Review in 2013. The promise to abolish the Sedition Act 1948 should not be a vicious lie. All relevant government agency MUST take active steps to honour the promise made.

SUARAM also support the call by Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH) for the immediate release of Khairul Nizam and all others arrested under the Sedition Act; and for all charges made under the Sedition Act 1948 to be dropped immediately.

In solidarity,

Sevan Doraisamy
Executive Director
SUARAM

[1] http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/woman-detained-faces-sedition-probe-in-malaysia-for-insulting-police-on-facebook