Malay rights group Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali has welcomed the government's decision to replace the Sedition Act 1948 with the National Harmony Act, saying there are weaknesses in the current law.

Utusan Malaysia today reported the Pasir Mas MP as saying the new law should not lose the principle and spirit of the Sedition Act.

If changes were to be done to the current law, they must address the issues that will create tension and dispute among the different races to ensure national peace and stability.

"If this can be done to become a law, I believe our country will be safe, stable and not be threatened. So we can move forward in terms of development and advancement.

"So far, although there is the Sedition Act, there are still quarters who dare to challenge and raise (sensitive issues). This is because there are weaknesses in the Sedition Act," the Umno-owned daily quotes Ibrahim as saying.

Therefore, he said, the government should study the issues thoroughly before enacting the new law.

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