Global rights group Amnesty International has added its voice to those lambasting the arrest of student activist Adam Ali ( below ) last Saturday, and is calling for an end to the use of the Sedition Act to “stifle” freedom of expression in Malaysia.

NONE “The Malaysian government must stop using the Sedition Act and provisions in the Penal Code to stifle people’s right to free expression, and it must release all those who have been arrested merely for the peaceful expression of their political beliefs or dissenting opinions.

“Amnesty International has repeatedly raised concerns about the Sedition Act and the way it has been implemented over the years to repress political dissent,” it said.

The international human rights organisation, in a statement yesterday, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the 24-year-old, who was picked up by ten plainclothes officers in front of Malaysiakini 's office in Bangsar on May 18 and taken to the Jinjang police station lock-up.

He is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 124(B) of the Penal Code, for statements he allegedly made during a post-election forum organised by Suara Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) on May 13.

Amnesty International further called for the “immediate repeal” of the Section 124(B), deeming it “broad and vague”.

“It (Section 124(B)) imposes a chilling effect on free expression in violation of Malaysia’s constitution and international legal obligations.

“It gives an unfettered discretion to police officers to arrest and detain a person if in the opinion of the arresting police officer a person is committing an act, which to that police officer is detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

“The Malaysian authorities must ensure that peaceful political dissent is protected both in law and practice.”

Adam's five-day remand ends tomorrow.