Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan believes that the Sedition Act should not be abolished and should instead be amended to include stiffer punishments.

These stiffer punishments, Musa ( left ) said, should include the death penalty, so as to ensure that those who are stubborn and continue making the same offence (of incitement) are suitably punished.

“The Act should not be abolished simply to satisfy the demands of certain quarters,” Malay daily Berita Harian quotes Musa as saying.

“I believe that those who always incite and do this purposely should be given a stiffer punishment.

“The laws are there but they still do it even though they know it is wrong.

“This is because they are not afraid of the punishments,” Musa said at a press conference organised by the Gerakan Warganegara Mempertahankan Akta Hasutan 1948 (Movement of Citizens Defending the Sedition Act 1948).

However, he said, that this depended on the agreement of those who were drafting the laws.

'It must accord with present day situations'

Although the Act has been amended five times, Musa said, it could still be strengthened as there still was room for improvement for it to be in accordance with present day situations.

Musa also said that the issue (of abolishing the Sedition Act) had not been raised by the rakyat, but rather, by the politicians.

“When they (politicians) incite the rakyat, it is clear that this will affect the country’s peace and harmony,” he said.

He also believes that the country should emulate Singapore, which still retains the Internal Security Act (ISA) as well as the Sedition Act.

“They prioritise the country’s peace and safety. All countries have laws related to incitement; even the United States has the Patriot Act, although it is not used.

“But it is used in certain times, as opposed to Malaysia, which wants to abolish it (the Sedition Act) completely,” Musa added.

Related stories

Zahid says no directive to suspend sedition probes

PAS ustaz latest detainee under Sedition Act

Try it on yourself, ex-PM tells 'death for sedition' lot

'Fear not, scholar's pen is mightier than sword'

Will IGP nab himself if he defies fresh court order?