Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s talk of giving the Sedition Act more bite is not enough as he must follow through with it, says Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

The right wing group’s chief said he welcomed the proposal to have the Sedition Act cover social media abuses, but pointed out such talk only happens during the Umno assemblies or party elections.

“Perkasa’s challenge is to firmly execute it, not just talk.

“When it is the time of Umno assemblies, we will hear loud urgings to defend Malays and Islam, more so during election season, but after that only silence.

“Even Malay NGOs or anyone else who voice out to defend Malays and Islam get bashed,” he said in a statement today.

Ibrahim said Umno still has a “lifeline” if it finally understood what is on the minds of Malays.

“Previously we had the Internal Security Act, it was easy for the security authorities to act,” he said.

The Internal Security Act 1960, which provided for detention without trial, was repealed in 2012.

Ibrahim said the Sedition Act should not only cover social media, but also “anti-national” individuals who threaten national security.

He added that it should also cover publications and demonstrations which touch on Islam as the federation’s religion and other matters in the federal constitution.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin said the government may consider to amend the Sedition Act to cover social media abuses.

He added that complaints that authorities were slow to act against non-Malays compared to Malays who post sensitive content online “had basis” .

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