There has been a 1,000 percent increase in sedition charges against the citizens from 2013 up till now, compared with the years 2007 till 2012.

Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said from 2007 till 2012, there were only three sedition charges filed.

"But from 2013 till now, there have been 33 charges, which is a 1,000 percent increase," Shamsul told reporters at a press conference in the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Shamsul ( photo ) tried to raise an emergency motion to debate the need to repeal the Sedition Act yesterday, but the motion was rejected by the Dewan Rakyat.

The motion was raised following the charge against Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah for sedition over remarks against the judiciary in the jailing of former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Sivarasa was charged under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Sedition Act and if convicted, he will face a maximum fine of RM5,000 or three years jail, or both.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak vowed to repeal the Sedition Act in 2012 but made a U-turn on his pledge at Umno annual general assembly last year.

Instead of abolishing the Act, Najib said, it would be strengthened to include punishment against calls for secession.

Parliament approved amendments to the Sedition Act in April.