The abuse of freedom of speech by some individuals should not be used as an excuse to curb this fundamental human right, said PAS' Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

 

Mujahid said while he agreed that free speech must be accompanied with respect for others, people should not succumb to "another tyrannical law" to resolve abuses.

 

"To limit freedom on the basis of that some people have exploited freedom is not the answer," he said in a statement today.

 

Mujahid's comments comes amid the government's use of the recent Paris shootings as an example in justifying its decision to maintain the colonial-era Sedition Act 1948.

 

Gunmen killed 12 people in an attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.

 

The publication had previously featured a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad which is deemed insulting to Muslims.

 

Mujahid said all faiths do not want to be ridiculed or tainted as object of mockery but reminded people to be mindful of their reaction.

 

"I advise Muslims to react through civil disobedience to register their anger.

 

"This is not a war with Christians or other faiths. This is educating those who exploited freedom of expression on the account of intruding the sensitivities of others.

 

"Freedom comes with respect of others, this is called freedom with responsibility," he said.