Sabah activist's sedition arrest reignites calls for repeal of law

Voicing out for the voiceless is not grounds for incitement that warrants action under the Sedition Act 1948, said civil society groups in solidarity with Borneo Komrad founder Mukmin Nantang.

Mukmin, a Sabah activist who has been defending the stateless Bajau Laut community, was last month arrested under the British-era law and is now out on police bail.

In a memorandum prepared by Suaram, 33 groups endorsed a call for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition government to fulfil Pakatan Harapan’s promise of repealing the law which the coalition leaders as then former opposition pact claimed was used to silence them.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim was the first to meet around 20 of the groups’ representatives at about 10.40am, as they gathered around 1km from the Parliament building after a short march from nearby Taman Tugu.

“I congratulate the youths today. We see that our country still has a future because the youths are still speaking up,” said the veteran PKR leader who recounted how he fought to appeal against a sedition charge for allegedly insulting Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in his comments regarding the 2014 menteri besar crisis in the state.

Hassan, together with Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, received the memorandum and promised to play their roles as government backbenchers to raise their demands.

Broken promises

The three lawmakers left the gathering after about 20 minutes and subsequent speeches grew more heated with reminders of the government’s broken promises.

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said Mukmin’s arrest, believed to be linked to a video circulating on TikTok that highlighted the plights of stateless Bajau Laut, marked the government’s “lowest point” so far.

“What did Mukmin do? He raised a people’s issue but the government used the Sedition Act.

“It is a colonial-era law. What was the use of the law for the colonisers? It was used to silence the people’s call for independence.

“The same law is now being used to silence the people,” he stressed.

Sevan also took a swipe at Kok who, after receiving the memorandum, accepted their demands but noted the government could be placed in a difficult position without the Sedition Act when faced with issues of race, royalty, and religion.

Suppressing criticism

Representing the youth democracy group Mandiri, former stateless individual Wong Kueng Hui said the government had promised reforms of repressive laws but is now instead pushing for regressive changes, including on citizenship rights.

“The issues of 3R can be dealt with without the Sedition Act.

“The actions by the government to trample on rights enshrined under the Federal Constitution is a clear desperate attempt to suppress criticisms and hold on to power,” he claimed.

Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi reminded government MPs from Pakatan Harapan, including those appointed as ministers, how many of them had supported Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan formed in 2014.

Amir recalled how the movement was formed in reaction to a “1,000 percent increase” in sedition charges between 2009 and 2012, after the repeal of the Internal Security Act.

“So, now when there are government representatives who came (to the gathering) and said they have difficulties (to repeal) when they called for it before, did they not think of the implications?” he said.

In another stern reminder to the government, Buku Jalanan Chow Kit co-founder Siti Rahayu Baharin said activists working with stateless children are only focused on the future of those under their care.

“We never touched on 3R issues. So don’t disturb activists working with the people.

“It is tiring to work in the community. There are no air-conditioned rooms like in Parliament.

“Do not disturb us. Repeal the Sedition Act,” stressed the former teacher who contested for Muda and lost the Tanjong Karang parliamentary seat in the 15th general election.

Former Muda president and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman arrived to meet the group after the speeches, accepted their memorandum, and also pledged support.

Both uniformed and plain clothes police personnel were seen on site and the group ended their gathering after about one hour.

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