Padang Serai MP N Surendran has questioned the BN-led government's move to call up United States Ambassador Joseph Yun, saying such acts will embarrass the country further in the eyes of the world.

Surendran, who is PKR political bureau member, said most Malaysians share the concerns Yun expressed on Najib's U-turn on the Sedition Act 1948, as its continued use is seen as repressive and unjust against opposition activists and ordinary Malaysians.

“As part of the community of nations, Malaysia cannot avoid international criticism over justice and human rights in the country,” said Surendran, who himself is facing two charges of sedition.

“BN must not embarrass us further by taking umbrage at legitimate criticism from abroad. It was the shocking decision of Umno-BN to retain the Sedition Act that opened up our country to international scrutiny and criticism,” he said in a statement today.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman last night summoned Yun to clarify his questioning of the continued usage of the draconian law against the opposition, activists and a journalist, which Yun ( right ) stated in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini .

Surendran said Najib blatantly broke his promise to abolish the Sedition Act, which he made to the rakyat two years ago, in his now notoriously-known speech at the recent Umno general assembly.

He said Najib and Umno-BN have only themselves to blame for the predicament the country faces internationally and the only way to redeem Malaysia's reputation and moral standing in the world is for the BN government to repeal that law at the next parliamentary session in March.

Surendran also debunked Anifah's assertion that the Sedition Act is required to prevent incitement of racial and religious tension and he cited the investigation against Selangor assemblyperson Haniza Talha for questioning the budget allocation for Permata.

“What has this got to do with race and religious tension?” he asked.

‘Funny way to celebrate Human Rights Day’

In a separate statement, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said the Malaysian government has a very funny way of celebrating Human Rights Day this year by summoning Yun.

Lim, who is also Gelang Patah MP, asked what was Yun's offence, as he was merely questioning Najib's decision to retain the Sedition Act and raising human rights concerns.

Is it justified for Anifah to flex his muscles and call up the US ambassador, he queried further.

“Why doesn’t Anifah go the whole hog and demand that US President Barack Obama recalls Yun and replace him with a more amenable ambassador – as Anifah will only join the lengthening list of ministers who are making fools of themselves in both the national and international arena,” Lim said.

The veteran lawmaker said the the United Nations resident coordinator for Malaysia, Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, has said that the United Nations is keeping a “careful watch” on Putrajaya’s decision to retain the controversial Sedition Act, after Najib did an about-turn on earlier pledges to repeal it.

“Is Anifah also going to summon Gyles-McDonnough and haul her on the carpet for her statement at a public forum in conjunction with World Human Rights Day 2014 that “the UN has made very clear publicly our position on the Sedition Act… do we believe it restricts freedom of expression” as unwarranted and disappointing?” he asked further.

Lim said four UN human rights experts have made a joint call to the Malaysian government to stop criminalising dissent, which threatens free expression, where they said the controversial law is reportedly used in a way that prevents Malaysians from expressing a diverse range of political opinions and ideas, debating them freely and openly.

“It is time for Malaysia to adjust its legislation, including the Sedition Act, to be in line with international human rights standards, and take firm steps towards the effective enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression,” the four UN special rapporteurs were quoted as saying.

Lim said it is a most extraordinary manner for the Malaysian government to celebrate the Human Rights Day in 2014, but also to mark its membership in the UN Security Council as well as its chairing of Asean from next year.

Anifah ( left ) should be reminded that the UN Charter makes clear a member of the UN Security Council should contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and support the other purposes of the UN, including promoting universal respect for human rights.

Lim said Najib's U-turn was merely to court instant popularity at the recent Umno general assembly and had nothing to do with any professional security assessment of the country’s laws.

He said while Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and himself had been hauled up by the authorities for investigations on sedition, why were the other extremists or other BN politicians not called up?

This was a clear case that the Sedition Act is becoming an oppressive instrument to suppress democracy and stifle the opposition.