Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan has defended the controversial Sedition Act 1948, saying the law is needed to preserve racial harmony in the country.

"The home minister has said that the Sedition Act is still enforceable and the police are still using the act in their investigations.

"In the current situation in the country, the act is needed to ensure the various races live in harmony and not fight with each other," Musa told a press conference at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur today.

He cited examples of insults against races, religions, and the royal institution to state why the act should stay.

Earlier this week, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the Sedition Act can still be used until the motion to abolish the law is tabled in Parliament.

However, the need to use the act would depend on the authorities' wisdom and discretion in handling critical issues related to religion and the royal institution, he had said.

Muhyiddin was asked to comment on de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong's statement that the police have been ordered not to use the Sedition Act against government critics.

Liew had said the police could use Section 298 and 298A of the Penal Code against those who utter or publish words meant to cause hurt.

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