The proposed provision the National Service Training Bill 2003 to criminalise criticism would be a violation of the basic objective of the Rukun Negara to uphold democracy in the country, said DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang today.

He said the five basic principles of the Rukun Negara - which are to belief in God, have loyalty to the King and country, uphold the constitution, abide by the rule of law and to have good behaviour and morality - are to maintain a "democratic way of life".

As such, he said that punitive actions proposed to curb criticisms against the bill would "run afoul" of this aim as they would further suppress already limited space for freedom of speech and expression in the country.