PKR MP and LFL condemn use of Sedition Act against PN chief

PKR lawmaker Hassan Abdul Karim has criticised the use of the Sedition Act against Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Pasir Gudang MP said in a statement that “3R - race, religion, and royalty” should not be used to justify invoking the draconian act.

“It is very worrying if this spectre of 3R is used by powerful agencies and the current ruling government to invoke draconian laws such as the Sedition Act 1948 to deny freedom of speech and expression.

“Malaysia is commonly referred to as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.

“This has an implicit meaning that Malaysia is a country that practices democracy.

“The people’s democracy is established through the institution of Parliament which means that there are elections and the government is elected by the people,” he added.

Hassan (above) pointed out that Muhyiddin is a former prime minister, current MP, and leader of an opposition coalition in the Dewan Rakyat.

“The importance in national affairs that the power of the people through the concept of parliamentary democracy is prioritised over the concept of a constitutional monarchy can be seen in the Federal Constitution which is the main law of the country of Malaysia.

“An important provision that shows according to the law that Malaysia is a democratic country that rejects the absolute feudal system is the provision of Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution which states that all people are equal before the law and are entitled to protection who are equal under the law.

“The matter needs to be clarified because there is a current tendency to try to reduce the freedom of the people or the people’s leaders to speak or express their thoughts and opinions by creating the spectre of offences under the 3R,” Hassan added.

Condemnation from LFL

Meanwhile, human rights watchdog Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) also criticised the move to use the Sedition Act against Muhyiddin.

“The role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in exercising his powers under Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution is not one that is above scrutiny or public discussion; the provision clearly states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must appoint a prime minister who is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat.

“It thus follows that discussion of the determination of the confidence of the majority cannot be prohibited or curtailed,” said LFL director Zaid Malek.

He argued that in a democracy, the exercise of a constitutional duty or power cannot be beyond discussion or criticism.

“Pakatan Harapan leaders seem to have forgotten how they rallied behind the late Karpal Singh on his criminal charge under the Sedition Act for questioning the sultan of Perak in determining a similar issue of the confidence of the then Perak menteri besar Nizar Jamaluddin.

“The Harapan-led government has now gone to the opposite extreme and forbids any scrutiny of the discharge of constitutional powers by the king or rulers. This is fundamentally contrary to democratic governance.

“Irrespective of the truth of Muhyiddin’s claim, there can be no justification for the use of the Sedition Act. This archaic colonial-era law has no place in a constitutional, democratic nation,” he added.

Earlier today, the police recorded Muhyiddin’s statement over his recent speech, in which he claimed he had the support of 115 MPs following the 15th general election to form a new government.

His speech, which mentioned the Agong at the time, ignited a firestorm and the Crown Prince of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah called for him to be investigated.

In his defence, Muhyiddin said his speech was a statement of fact and was not intended to insult the royal institution or incite sedition.

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