Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong has criticised the increased use of the Sedition Act, saying this is creating a culture of fear that is taking the country backwards.

Expressing his concerns over the “backsliding” in terms of restrictions on freedom of speech and restrictions on the media, Yong said this was not the way of a democratic country.

"It gives a negative perception that sedition and security laws are used to harass, intimidate and silence citizens, academicians, politicians, activists, journalists and bloggers,” he said in a statement today.

The lawyer pointed out how the authorities had tightened restrictions on freedom of expression as government critics, be it in person or online social media as well as online news sites, have been victims of charges under the Sedition Act.

“While I agree that there cannot be absolute freedom, creating a culture of fear should not be the way for a democratic and developing nation,” he said.

However, Yong ( photo ) admitted that some restrictions were needed to stop people from abusing and talking against the country on matters that could amount to sedition.

Nevertheless, he pointed out, criticising the government is one thing, while damaging the name of the country is another.

‘But don’t abuse country’

“We cannot go on abusing or talking against our own country. There are certain parameters, unless our allegiance is with some other country or group,” he said.

“I say this because there were cases where Malaysians (especially politicians) have spread hate speeches, lies and slanders against their own nation while they were overseas, in the name of democracy, freedoms and human rights.”

Yong said there were also incidents where certain quarters, such as political or NGO leaders, had intentionally disrupted national harmony with “inappropriate words and actions” which cannot be justified in any sense.

“Forget about the strict interpretation of ‘seditious tendency’ as in the act, for ultimately, there must be a balance for us to move forward,” he added.

Activist Haris Ibrahim, who is also a lawyer, is the latest victim under the Sedition Act. He was yesterday sentenced to eight months' jail by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, which found him guilty of sedition.

Apart from Haris, scores of politicians, activists, academicians and even media practitioners were detained or charged under the Sedition Act.

American Bar: Charges ‘frivolous’

Haris’ conviction has elicited an international outcry, with world rights group Amnesty International calling the move “the latest travesty in a series of politically motivated actions to silence dissent”.

The American Bar Association (ABA) also called the sedition charges “frivolous” and impinging upon the right of lawyers to exercise their profession.

“As noted in (ABA’s) letter of March 12, 2015, the Sedition Act appears to have been used to bring frivolous charges against attorneys in retaliation for legitimate activities undertaken in the course of representing clients.

“The ABA Centre for Human Rights recently issued a report which found that the law is vague, over-broad and inconsistent with comparative practice in other common law countries,” ABA president Paulette Brown said in a statement today.

The ABA, she said, urges Malaysia to amend the law “to bring it into compliance with international standards and issue guidance to prosecutors” to ensure the law is not used to prosecute those engaged in legitimate activities.

Amnesty calls conviction of Haris Ibrahim for sedition a 'travesty'