G25 spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin does not know whether she is being investigated under the Sedition Act.

“I don’t know but according to a report by MMO ( Malay Mail Online ), I am,” she told Malaysiakini in a text message.

Noor Farida also confirmed that she has yet to be summoned by police on the matter.

The Malay Mail Online today reported that a sedition investigation on Noor Farida was under way, following her call to review Islamic laws governing khalwat (close proximity).

Malacca police chief Chuah Ghee Lye is reported as confirming with the portal that police are investigating the retired diplomat under Section 4(1) of the Act.

Five police reports have been lodged against Noor Farida thus far, one in Malacca and four from other states.

Noor Farida, at a conference earlier this month, said Islam does not promote intrusion into personal spaces, therefore, khalwat raids by religious authorities should be stopped.

The statement by G25 - a group comprising retired high-ranking civil servants - prompted a mufti to call for its abolition, and Muslim groups to condemn it for purportedly encouraging illicit sex.

In its response, G25 stressed that it called for a review of syariah enactments to “protect the image and good name of Islam”.

Apart from coming under fire from the Muslim groups, Noor Farida has even received rape threats for calling for a halt on khalwat raids.

Animal Action Group president Sharul Nizam Ab Rahim threatened on his Facebook last week that he would break into her home and rape her for her statement.

Continuous double standard

Meanwhile, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) is outraged at the latest sedition investigation against Noor Farida.

"The sedition investigation is a clear example of the vague and indiscriminate nature of the Act, which allows the authorities to arbitrarily interpret anything remotely contentious as seditious, thus allowing them to clamp down on critical, dissenting opinion.

"Calling for legal reform should never under any circumstances be considered seditious."

LFL's legal/campaign coordinator Michelle Yesudas said that to add insult to injury, the decision to investigate Noor Farida for sedition is shameful, in stark contrast to the authorities’ lack of interest in the threat of sexual assault made against her by Shahrul Nizam.

She criticised the authorities' decision to investigate Noor Farida for her remarks instead of Shahrul Nizam's sexual assault threat.

She said the decision shockingly perverts and mocks the notion (constantly mooted by the government) that the Sedition Act is “needed” to protect peace and harmony.

"This is because the investigation would now be used by her detractors to 'legitimise' a public campaign of harassment and threats against her."

She said the Sedition Act stifles freedom of speech and perpetuates a climate of fear among outspoken Malaysians.

"Moreover, the continuous double standard created by the misuse of the Act entrenches inflammatory speeches made by pro-government personalities, while limiting democratic space for others.

"This perverse, antiquated piece of legislation has no place in modern and democratic Malaysia. We call for the sedition investigation against Noor Farida to be dropped immediately."