A Sarawak NGO has slammed Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's announcement that the Sedition Act 1948 is to be strengthened to cover calls for Sabah and Sarawak's secession from the Federation of Malaysia.

 

Civil society movement Gerakan Anak Sarawak (Gasak) disagreed with Najib’s announcement at the Umno general assembly yesterday to expand the scope of the Act, reminding Umno that the Borneo states were partners with Malaya in the founding of Malaysia, similar to Singapore at the time.

 

“Sarawak as a partner in the federation should be allowed to leave Malaysia any time if the people are not happy in the federation.

 

“Why was Singapore allowed to leave the federation?” asked Gasak President Abun Sui Anyit ( left ).

 

Singapore together with Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya formed the federation in September 1963, but left in 1965.

 

Abun Suit, who is a lawyer, said that Najib’s announcement on expanding sedition goes against the practice of a democratic country.

Challenge to Borneo political parties

Gasak said it challenges all BN coalition parties especially the BN parties from Sarawak and Sabah whether they agree or not with Najib’s proposal to insert a provision to stop any one calling for the secession of the two states.

If the proposal were to be included in the Sedition Act, it would directly affect all Sabahans and Sarawakians, he said.

The proposal appeared to suggest as if Sabahans and Sarawakians are stupid and cannot think for themselves, he added.

“For Gasak this proposal must not proceed,” Abun Suit warned.

Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue, Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) said that the prime minister cannot be trusted any more as he has failed to honour his pledge to do away with Sedition Act.

 

“He is changing his stand because he is scared of extremists like Perkasa, Pekida, Isma and others,” said Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian ( above ).

 

Bian, who is the Ba’Kelalan assemblyperson, said that the two provisions referred to were lame excuses to retain the Act, and claimed that the Umno general assembly had something to do with Najib's decision.

“Najib must be seen to defend Islam, otherwise he will be toppled. Either way he is doomed,” said Bian.

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