The peace and stability enjoyed by the people in the country can be shaken if the Sedition Act 1948 is abolished because several rights and privileges of the bumiputera stipulated in the federal constitution can be challenged.

Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan said, right now, the Act provided a protection to several matters concerning the institution of monarchy, bumiputera rights and privileges, as well as freedom of speech.

"I think if the Sedition Act is abolished, anybody can challenge the privileges given to bumiputera in the constitution.

"If this happens, I think the country will not be peaceful anymore and the public safety can be shaken," he told Bernama after appearing as a guest speaker in the Ruang Bicara Bernama TV programme in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Another guest speaker in the one-hour programme hosted by Sherkawi Jirim was lawyer and political analyst Hasnal Rezua Merican.

Musa said the Act need not be abolished or replaced by a new law, but could be modified and upgraded to meet the current situation.

Prior to this, the government had proposed to abolish the Act and replace it with the National Harmony Act.

- Bernama