PKR lawmaker N Surendran has challenged Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s claim that the majority of Malaysians support the use of the Sedition Act.

“Zahid is completely wrong. The majority of Malaysians voted for Pakatan Rakyat and its manifesto against all oppressive laws including the Sedition Act,” said the Padang Serai MP in a statement today.

“BN lost the popular vote in the last general election. In fact, public sentiment has been shocked by the recent sedition blitz.”

Ahmad Zahid yesterday was reported saying that the government was not using the Act to silence its critics.

He also said that despite the criticisms made against the actions taken on those who spread hate speeches, “Malaysians at large supported the government because they understood the danger if no action was taken”, Ahmad Zahid was quoted as saying in The Star Online.

Surendran ( right ), meanwhile, said that this was a “desperate attempt” by Ahmad Zahid and the government to defend the sedition blitz.

“Can Zahid explain the basis for the charge against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok merely for posting a video allegedly mocking the prime minister’s wife?  

“How does Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer's alleged insult against Umno amount to sedition?

“What basis is there for the sedition charges against the late Karpal Singh and Universiti Malaya lecturer Azmi Shahrom merely for expressing a legal opinion?” questioned Surendran.

He then challenged the home minister to publicly state the justification of bringing sedition charges in the above specific cases. 

“If Zahid and the government are unable to do so within 48 hours from today, they should admit that the sedition blitz was an abuse of power and repeal the Sedition Act in the next sitting of Parliament,” said Surendran.