An emergency motion on the Sedition Act 1948 has been tabled at the Selangor state assembly today to urge the federal government to repeal the draconian law.

The motion was brought by Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) and seconded by Saari Sungib (PAS-Hulu Kelang).

However when the motion was tabled, all of the BN assemblypersons staged a walkout from the assembly sitting.

Lau, who brought up the motion, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had made a hypocritical move by retaining the Act.

“The prime minister’s decision on going back on his promise (to repeal the Act) shows hypocrisy or in Arab ‘munafik’.”

State opposition leader Mohd Shamsudin Lias ( left ) told reporters after the debate that BN assemblypersons walked out as the Act should be discussed at the federal level and not at the state assembly.

“We BN assemblypersons have made a stand not to take part in this discussion as the prime minister has already issued a statement that the Sedition Act is going to be retained and improved on.

“There is no need for us to debate this. This matter is the responsibility of the federal (government).”

The Sungai Burong assemblyperson added that the issue was simply brought up at the state assembly as a “political gimmick”.

“If there are any issues to either amend or change the laws, it should be done at the federal level.

“When the state (government) brings up issues like this it is done as a political gimmick to cause unrest among the people on their rationale that it is freedom of speech.”

Meanwhile, during the assembly meeting, Ng Suee Lim (DAP-Sekinchan) also questioned the use of the Sedition Act on Pakatan Rakyat politicians which had been rampant.

He asked MCA, MIC and Gerakan to exit BN as Najib did not respect their views before his announcement of retaining the Act.

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