I read with mixed feelings of amusement and concern, as regards the latest debacle that has befallen the opposition parties - DAP Selangor chairperson M Manoharan's call for a sedition charge to be brought against Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister M Kayveas for suggesting to close down vernacular Tamil schools.

Whilst the suggestion itself lacks merit and smacks of overkill, nonetheless the principle of free speech must be preserved. To quote Voltaire: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

This is the second time in recent months that DAP has resorted to call for sedition charges when facing critical and challenging issues.

The earlier incident was against Umno Youth for suggesting that vernacular Chinese schools be closed. As we can see, the right to vernacular education is a recurring issue. Maybe someone should suggest a debate or is that too much to handle?

It was not too long ago when 33 DAP members were arrested , ostensibly o­n sedition charges during the "No to 929" campaign to counter Prime Minister Mahathir's declaration that Malaysia is an "Islamic state".

The misuse of sedition laws continued with the constant threat by the authorities during the language switch controversy that prompted DAP to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

If DAP is committed to the struggle for a free, democratic socialist Malaysian Malaysia, based o­n the principles of human rights, equality, social and economic justice, and founded o­n the institution of parliamentary democracy as proudly proclaimed, please hold o­n to these principles at all times, and not when it is convenient.

You wouldn't want to be accused of misbehaving like the Barisan Nasional coalition parties, especially Umno Youth, now, would you? Because that would be a big insult.