Contrary to the claim that the Najib Abdul Razak administration has "gone bonkers", a veteran opposition leader believes there is logic behind the ongoing sedition crackdown.

"There is logic in the madness as the Internal Security Act is not the only route to authoritarianism," said Lim Kit Siang.

Najib had repealed the ISA, which critics accused his predecessors of using as a tool to silent political dissent under the pretext of safeguarding national security.

Lim noted that the sedition dragnet has come as a shock to Malaysians.

"It is unbelievable that the proponent of political transformation is ushering Malaysia to a new authoritarianism – as if trying to fulfil the promise of the 'best democracy of the world' through the terrain of the 'worst democracy of the world'," he added in a statement.

Calling on Malaysians to make a stand, the DAP leader also expressed concern that the rule of law and academic freedom are under a new-fangled assault.

"Malaysians must not succumb to a new despotism and must speak out, loud and clear, in defence of our democratic and academic freedoms as well as the rule of law," he added.

Despite Najib’s thrust for unity in his Merdeka message, Lim said Umno ministers and leaders continue to "fan the flames of national disunity and racial discord" by propagating the "reckless and baseless myth" that the Malay race and Islam are under attack.

"Najib's pledge to repeal the Sedition Act and to make Malaysia 'the best democracy in the world' has been torn into shreds with him presiding over the most number of sedition prosecutions against opposition leaders.

"The nation’s first prosecution of an academician comes on the same day the prime minister cynically delivered an eulogy for academic freedom declaring he and his government’s regard for scholars and intelligentsia as the country’s most important pillars," he added.

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