DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) today submitted a memorandum of protest to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) against Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's threat to use the Sedition Act against those who continue to oppose the language switch in the teaching of Science and Mathematics.

The movement has described Abdullah's threat as "unwarranted and outrageous".

"The remark gives rise to serious implications as it involves the question of subversion of human rights and the rule of law, which Suhakam should rightly be concerned about," Dapsy's acting national secretary Loke Siew Fook said.

On Monday, Abdullah had reportedly warned any group or individual who still oppose the language switch that they would be charged with sedition as the issue has been resolved.

Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim had also issued the same warning.

Although the two did not name anyone, it is obvious their remarks were directed at the vernacular education groups who are unhappy with the new policy.

While the opponents of the policy agreed with the government's effort to improve the standard of English among Malaysians, they said the use of English in teaching Science and Maths would not upgrade the proficiency of the subject.

Education issue only

Among the most vocal is the influential Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Committees and Teachers Association) which had also been branded by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as "extremist". They were also warned by the premier not "to play with fire" on the language issue.

Loke told reporters after handing over the memo at Suhakam office in Kuala Lumpur that Abdullah's warning violated the freedom of speech and expression as granted to every citizen in the Federal Constitution and there is no "justifiable reason" for the remark.

"This is not a political issue, it is an education issue...nobody questioned the government's effort to upgrade the standard of the three subjects, only the method is questioned," he said.

"This (warning) is unhealthy for the development of democracy in the country. A ruling government should encourage more input and feedbacks from the people on their policies," he stressed.

The Youth leader further said that Abdullah's warning would usurp the discretionary power of the attorney-general to act without interference from any quarter.

"The AG may automatically charge all those who continue to harp on the language issue or any disagreement with the government's decision is ipso facto an offence of sedition," Loke claimed.

He urged Suhakam to deliberate on its stand on the issue immediately.

Monday meeting

Suhakam secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria told reporters after receiving the memorandum that the matter would be discussed at the commissioners' monthly meeting next Monday. He declined further comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Kamaruddin said that Suhakam's investigations into the arrest of several DAP leaders and members during the party's 'No To 929' campaign had been completed and would also be brought up for discussion next Monday.

The 'No To 929' campaign was initiated by the party to bring public attention to Mahathir's declaration last Sept 29 that Malaysia is an Islamic country.

A total of 32 people were arrested in various towns during the campaign.