The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, today urged Malaysia to withdraw amendments to the Sedition Act 1948.

“It is very disappointing that the Malaysian government is now proposing to make a bad law worse,” he said in a statement released today.

Zeid reminded Malaysia of its human rights commitments and the pledge it made during the country’s Universal Periodic Review in 2013.

“The new provisions would seriously undermine the freedom of expression and opinion in the country, in breach of Malaysia's Federal Constitution and its international human rights obligations.

“The government had committed to repealing the Act during its Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013,” he said.

Zeid's Geneva-based office said it has long urged Malaysia to repeal the law or bring it in line with international human rights standards.

Zeid ( left ), who is a prince from Jordan, was appointed in September 2014 as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

He further expressed concern that the amendments broaden the scope of the offences and introduce harsher penalties, such as 20 years' jail for “aggravated” sedition.

Travels bans are also of concern as it allows for arbitrary restrictions against individuals based on what the UN office felt was an ill-defined law.

 

“In 2014, at least 78 people have been investigated or charged under the Sedition Act. This year alone, so far, at least 36 individuals have already been investigated or charged,” Zeid noted.

 

The amendments are tabled today for its second reading and is expected to be put to a vote later today.

 

This is despite Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo arguing that debating the amendments would be subjudice as the constitutionality of the pre-Merdeka law is being challenged in the Federal Court by academician Azmi Sharom ( right ) who was charged with sedition last year.

 

All those who are charged under sedition are awaiting the decision in Azmi's case at the Federal Court, where submissions were heard last month.

Review all pending cases, govt urged

 

Zeid further urged the Malaysian government to review all the cases of those who had been charged under the controversial law.

 

“Silencing dissent does not nurture social stability, but an open democratic space does.

"Curtailing the legitimate exercise of human rights in the name of fighting terrorism has been shown, time and time again, to backfire and only lead to festering discontent and a strong sense of injustice,” he added.

 

“Malaysia, as chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), should ensure that its leadership role at the regional and international levels is backed up by firm commitment to ensure the human rights of all in Malaysia.”

 

The Jordanian prince further express concern over the passage of another bill, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, as it allows for indefinite detention without trial and grants sweeping powers to law enforcement authorities.

 

This is implemented, he said, without sufficient safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure accountability of human rights.

 

Malaysia's two-term Human Rights Council tenure at the UN ended in December 2013.