DAP
chairperson Karpal Singh has welcomed Prime Minister Najib Abdul
Razak's announcement to repeal the draconian Sedition Act 1948, asking
whether the Attorney General (AG) will drop the charges against him and
several other politicians by stopping all this prosecution.
Saying that the move by Najib indicates that election is around the corner, Karpal said the Sedition Act should have been repealed ages ago.
"Definitely Najib is trying hard to replace laws that are archaic The Sedition Act has resulted in unnecessary restrictions on freedom of speech. It is a sort of an artificial law in not allowing freedom of speech and expression.
"Its proposed repeal is long overdue, and I think the government should be congratulated for the move.
"However, we have to see what the National Harmony Bill looks like. I think this is vital as there has to be a fair amount of public consultation," he noted.
The Bukit Gelugor MP also pointed out that beside himself and Uthayakumar facing sedition charges, former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the only other person being investigated for the alleged offence.
"I also call on the government to withdraw all existing charges and look at fresh cases which are still pending.
"Certainly, the AG can exercise his discretion to drop the charge. In my case it is a legal argument .... and can be argued. The move if done is an expression of bona fides on the part of the government realisingrealising ultimately the Sedition Act's removal.
"I acknowledge those who had been charged under sedition are still facing the prospect of being prosecuted but the government can certainly show its true gesture by dropping all this political persecution," he said.
As to the provisions in the National Harmony Act, Karpal said they are yet to be seen, and asked the AG to be truthful in disclosing of what the government intends to include in the legislation, the people are waiting to see.
In
drawing up the Peaceful Assembly Act, the AG had consulted the Bar
Council, however, did not disclose disallowing assemblies in motion.
This had resulted in the Bar taking to the streets when the bill was tabled for the second reading.
Kit Siang: Malaysians are wary
DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang in a statement echoed Karpal's sentiments for the prosecution to stop its sedition charge against the Bukit Gelugor MP and Uthayakumar.
While the repeal of the Sedition Act is welcome and has been the subject of demands of democratisation for decades, Malaysians are understandably wary of Najib's announcement as his promise of political transformation on his Malaysia Day message came to nought, he said.
"The passage of the Peaceful Assembly Act and the revocation of the Emergency proclamations have not resulted in the full democratisation of Malaysians rights as illustrated by the high-handed and unconscionable police crackdown on the peaceful Bersih 3.0 demonstrators and the post April 28, state-sponsored campaign of vilification and demonisation of Bersih 3.0 organisers and protestors."
Lim
said patriotic Malaysians are also concerned over the growing culture
of impunity where certain irresponsible quarters stoke hatred to create
racial and religious ill-will and polarisation through a diabolical
campaign perpetuated by Umno/Barisan Nasional.
"Could Najib's latest announcement to repeal the Sedition Act and replace it with the National Harmony Act be part of the PM's transformation program to make Malaysia the best democracy in the world?" he asked, adding that if this is so can Najib make a commitment to a peaceful transfer of power should the Pakatan win?
Saying that the move by Najib indicates that election is around the corner, Karpal said the Sedition Act should have been repealed ages ago.
"Definitely Najib is trying hard to replace laws that are archaic The Sedition Act has resulted in unnecessary restrictions on freedom of speech. It is a sort of an artificial law in not allowing freedom of speech and expression.
"Its proposed repeal is long overdue, and I think the government should be congratulated for the move.
"However, we have to see what the National Harmony Bill looks like. I think this is vital as there has to be a fair amount of public consultation," he noted.
The Bukit Gelugor MP also pointed out that beside himself and Uthayakumar facing sedition charges, former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the only other person being investigated for the alleged offence.
"I also call on the government to withdraw all existing charges and look at fresh cases which are still pending.
"Certainly, the AG can exercise his discretion to drop the charge. In my case it is a legal argument .... and can be argued. The move if done is an expression of bona fides on the part of the government realisingrealising ultimately the Sedition Act's removal.
"I acknowledge those who had been charged under sedition are still facing the prospect of being prosecuted but the government can certainly show its true gesture by dropping all this political persecution," he said.
As to the provisions in the National Harmony Act, Karpal said they are yet to be seen, and asked the AG to be truthful in disclosing of what the government intends to include in the legislation, the people are waiting to see.
In
drawing up the Peaceful Assembly Act, the AG had consulted the Bar
Council, however, did not disclose disallowing assemblies in motion.This had resulted in the Bar taking to the streets when the bill was tabled for the second reading.
Kit Siang: Malaysians are wary
DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang in a statement echoed Karpal's sentiments for the prosecution to stop its sedition charge against the Bukit Gelugor MP and Uthayakumar.
While the repeal of the Sedition Act is welcome and has been the subject of demands of democratisation for decades, Malaysians are understandably wary of Najib's announcement as his promise of political transformation on his Malaysia Day message came to nought, he said.
"The passage of the Peaceful Assembly Act and the revocation of the Emergency proclamations have not resulted in the full democratisation of Malaysians rights as illustrated by the high-handed and unconscionable police crackdown on the peaceful Bersih 3.0 demonstrators and the post April 28, state-sponsored campaign of vilification and demonisation of Bersih 3.0 organisers and protestors."
Lim
said patriotic Malaysians are also concerned over the growing culture
of impunity where certain irresponsible quarters stoke hatred to create
racial and religious ill-will and polarisation through a diabolical
campaign perpetuated by Umno/Barisan Nasional."Could Najib's latest announcement to repeal the Sedition Act and replace it with the National Harmony Act be part of the PM's transformation program to make Malaysia the best democracy in the world?" he asked, adding that if this is so can Najib make a commitment to a peaceful transfer of power should the Pakatan win?
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