PKR MP: Sedition Act not needed for Ali Tinju

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The government need not use the Sedition Act in the Low Yat incident just to show that the draconian law is necessary to maintain harmony, said PKR.

This, said vice president N Surendran, is because there are appropriate laws aplenty to deal with individuals like Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom over the row in Kuala Lumpur on July 12.

“The prosecution of Mohd Ali Baharom, who is a pro-Umno activist, under the Sedition Act is to create the perception that this draconian law is required to maintain racial harmony.

“In fact, the Sedition Act is not required, as there are many other laws under the Penal Code that are available to preserve the peace,” he said in a statement today.

Surendran pointed out Ali, popularly known as ‘Ali Tinju’, could be charged under Penal Code sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 504 (breach of peace) or 505 (public mischief).

While Prime Minister Najib Razak promised to abolish the archaic colonial era Act 2012 just before the general election, he made a controversial U-turn last year and made amendments to further strengthen the law.

One of the reasons given was the law needed to be retained to ensure racial harmony in the country.

On the eve of Hari Raya, July 16, Mohd Ali was charged under the Sedition Act for statements uttered during an incident that developed after a fracas over a stolen handphone.

Others detained over the weekend fray in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s shopping district were blogger Wan Mohd Azri Wan Deris (Papagomo) and Bagan Umno division chief Shaikh Hussein Mydin.

 

All three have subsequently been released on bail .

 

‘End Low Yat sedition probes’

 

“We strongly object to these charges. The Sedition Act is an oppressive and anti-democratic law that must be urgently repealed.

 

“As has been repeatedly pointed out, the Sedition Act does not require 'intention' to be proved, which is a fundamental requirement under the ordinary criminal law.

 

“Further, the definition of sedition is so widely and arbitrarily worded, that the accused person has great difficulty in mounting a proper defence,” said Surendran, a human rights lawyer.

 

“We call upon the attorney-general and government to immediately drop the sedition charges against Mohd Ali Baharom, and all ongoing sedition investigations arising from the Low Yat quarrel,” he added.

 

He called for a moratorium on the usage of the Sedition Act and for a complete repeal at the next sitting of Parliament.

 

“It is indisputable that the Sedition Act has been widely and notoriously used to prosecute opposition, lawyers, civil society and activists merely for speaking out against the government.

 

“Malaysians cannot enjoy freedom and democracy as long as the Sedition Act exists,” said the MP.



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