The repeated calls to "continue to incite" clearly shows the defiance of those charged under the Sedition Act.
 
The launch of Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH)- a coalition opposing the Sedition Act- witnessed speakers from activists to politicians saying in jest that people should "incite".
 
The event held at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall kickstarted with a video of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak saying that the Act will be abolished.

The video was greeted with "boos" and shouts of "you liar".

 
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, who was charged under Section 504 of the Penal Code for "defaming" and "provoking" Umno, said it was only natural to provoke Umno.
 
"It's our job to raise their anger, if not, we won't be the opposition," added the PKR leader.
 
Rafizi also said that he will "continue inciting" and that he was not afraid to be prosecuted with more charges.
 
Activist Hishamuddin Rais also said he was not afraid of the Act but he simply does not like having to go to court in the morning.
 
Saying "enough is enough", Hishamuddin ended his speech with "teruskan menghasut " (continue to incite).
 
Former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin pointed out how former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was not charged for saying Malays were "lazy" and "dishonest".

 

"He said all that and was not charged for sedition but (Seri Delima state assemblyperson) RSN Rayer was charged for saying Umno 'celaka '.
 
"It is so obvious that the Act is used so that the opposition will be denied the right to contest in the next general election," he added.
 
He then called on the people to collectively shout "Umno celaka ".
 
"Take the tasbih (prayer beads) and say Umno celaka . If you do this for 40 days, Umno will be doomed," he said.
 
Nizar, who was charged for making remarks against Najib, questioned why the latter could not be criticised when even Umar al-Khattab, one of the rightful caliphs, was criticised then.
 
"Is Najib maksum (without sin) that he cannot be advised?" he asked.

'Sedition Act against Islam'

 
Lawyer cum activist Haris Ibrahim said the people today should not follow the previous generation with its "culture of fear".
 
"If you are not scared of a government that is unjust, I suggest for you to call for a press conference, say 'Umno celaka' and ask the Attorney-General (Abdul Gani Patail) to charge you.
 
"Tonight, we will collect money so that it will be enough to bail everyone," he said, adding that the Sedition Act was against Islam.
 
GHAH representative Eric Paulsen had earlier said he did not want to hear Najib's promises that the Sedition Act will be abolished as he had been "flip-flopping" over the matter.
 
Apart from speeches by special guests and Sedition Act victims, the event was interspersed with the "Blue Ribbon campaign" announced by Universiti Malaya law lecturer Nur Jaanah Abdullah as well as a donation drive.
 
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said it was "record-breaking" to be the only woman charged under the Act but jokingly expressed doubt that she will be the only woman for long, mentioning Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah who was one of the guest speakers.
 
PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, meanwhile, said it was ironic how although Operation Lalang was instigated by "MCA insulting Umno and Umno insulting MCA" he was the one arrested.
 
Stressing that it was important for the Sedition Act to be abolished, he said that as long as it is in existence, it will be misused.
 
Apart from the singing of the anti-Sedition Act song and a poetry recital by national laureate A Samad Said, the event last night ended with a dramatic performance of drum beating by GHAH representatives, signalling the launch of the movement.

About 300 people attended the launch.