'Sedition Act was being reviewed when Muhyiddin home minister'

A former aide to Muhyiddin Yassin has recalled how Pakatan Harapan leaders “rolled on the streets” in opposition to the Sedition Act, which was termed as “draconian” and “cruel”.

Marzuki Mohamad also claimed that when his former boss was the home minister, he was part of a committee that was reviewing oppressive legislation.

“I wish to clarify before Harapan and BN cybertroopers ask why Muhyiddin did not repeal the Sedition Act when he was home minister.

“I was part of the committee (I cannot remember the official name). The committee consisted of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Malaysian Bar, representatives from NGOs, and others.

“Six laws were in the process of being reviewed and the Sedition Act was one of them,” he said in a Facebook post.

According to Marzuki (above), there was a moratorium with regard to invoking these laws pending the review.

Muhyiddin raised ‘valid question’

Commenting on Muhyiddin’s charge under the Sedition Act, he said the Perikatan Nasional chairperson had merely raised a question related to the Constitution.

“It is a valid question but he was charged under the Sedition Act. Who is cruel?” he added.

Muhyiddin had served as home minister under the Harapan administration, which he later toppled through a political coup in 2020, just 22 months after the coalition’s historic win in the 14th general election.

Yesterday, the former premier was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

This was over his speech during the campaign for the Nenggiri state by-election in Kelantan recently, where he had mentioned the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the appointment of the prime minister after the 2022 general election.

The Sedition Act was enacted by the colonial authorities of British Malaya to contain the local communist insurgency but earned notoriety when it was used against political opponents and to silence dissent.

In 2012, then-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is currently serving a six-year prison term, had promised to abolish the Sedition Act as part of his raft of political reforms.

However, when BN performed poorly in the 13th general election in 2013, Najib had to backpedal, which analysts attributed to mounting pressure from the hardliners within Umno who were opposed to the reforms.

Last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Harapan chairperson, defended the use of the Sedition Act when it concerns the rulers.

“Yes, fundamentally, we avoid the use of the Sedition Act. However, when it comes to matters concerning the positions of the rulers…

“When it comes to the position and dignity of the rulers… this is something we should uphold and prevent from turning into unhealthy political discourse,” he said.

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