A partner in the ruling coalition has blasted the US for criticising Malaysia's use of the Sedition Act, claiming that the former too had several human rights issues.

 

"The US has many human rights problems of its own and we suggest that Vice-President Joe Biden look into it and improve its human rights record, instead of voicing concern over our Sedition Act," said MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh in a statement today.

 

He highlighted the death of African American Eric Garner who died after a police office used a chokehold on him, a method banned by the New York Police Department.

 

"In recent weeks there have been riots in Ferguson, St Louis and in New York over police brutality and the police killing of innocent black Americans.

 

"These are serious violations of human rights: the continuing marginalisation of minorities by the white-controlled police forces in the US," Sivaraajh ( left ) said.

 

He also claimed that the US prison system is filled with African Americans and other minorities.

 

Likewise, he added that the American use of Guantanamo prison to detain suspected terrorists without trial is also a human rights violation.

 

Yesterday, Biden in a Twitter posting, said Malaysia's continued use of the Sedition Act to stifle the opposition raised concerns about rule of law.

 

In another post, Biden said Malaysia has a chance to "make things right" in opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy appeal to restore confidence in democracy and the judiciary.

 

Anwar's case is awaiting the decision of his final appeal at the Federal Court to overturn an Appeal Court conviction for sodomising his former aide.

 

He has maintained the charge is politically motivated but the government has denied involvement in the case.