Higher Education Deputy Minister Saifuddin Abdullah today said that the controversial Section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950 could still be reviewed in the future.

In a text message reply to Malaysiakini , he said that this is despite the cabinet's decision not to review to the section which was gazetted into law last month.

"The cabinet's decision to remain status quo does not mean that it will never be amended at all. Perhaps in the future,” he said.

saifuddin abdullah evidence act forum 2 For example, he said, Section 15 of the University and University Colleges Act was amended to allow students to join political parties in April after cabinet decided to revisit the matter .

As such, the Umno MP said he will continue to lobby to Umno leaders to improve the law.

"I will continue talking to my party leaders on the need to listen and hear the voices of the people in this regard," he said.

He added that there is also a need to consult civil society like the Centre of Independent Journalism who spearheaded the ' Stop 114A ' online campaign and the Bar Council.

"Also look at best practices, for example Brazil's Bill of Rights. This is both about protecting users and promoting mature and progressive democracy," he said.

The fight continues

Meanwhile,the Stop 114A campaign team in a statement urged the online community to respond to the cabinet decision not to review the law.

"We will do so, but only after coming up with effective ways to put the pressure (onto the government).

"There needs to be more than one action and they need to be online as well as offline, and done by as many sectors s possible,' they said.  

They added that their immediate step is take up an offer made by Saifuddin to meet him and " like-minded BN MPs " to discuss how to pursue the matter.

Other BN leaders who have spoken out against the Section are Umno Youth chief and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin and Youth and Sports Deputy Minister and MCA senator Gan Ping Sieu.

Information Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim told the Star after the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday that cabinet will not review the Section.

Cabinet had discussed the matter upon instruction from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is currently overseas.

Additional reporting by Kuek Ser Kuang Keng.