Bersatu pans 'hypocrite' Anwar for using Sedition Act against opponents

Bersatu’s legal and constitutional bureau has accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of cowardice, hypocrisy, and dictatorial behaviour for permitting the use of the Sedition Act 1948 against political opponents.

The bureau’s deputy chairperson, Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif, argued that Anwar and his reformist colleagues have not committed to repealing this outdated legislation.

“Before the 15th general election, we were assured and promised, time and time again, by PKR and DAP that the Sedition Act is a draconian and archaic law that needs to be abolished.

“But until today, almost two years in power, the Pakatan Harapan government is, in turn, using the law to shut down freedom of speech, especially against those who criticise or pose a political threat to the government,” she said in a statement today.

Sasha’s remarks followed charges against Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin under the Sedition Act for his speech during the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan.

In his speech, Muhyiddin expressed frustration that the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong did not invite him to form the government after the last general election despite having the support of 115 MPs.

Political manoeuvre

Defending Muhyiddin’s speech as factual and historical, Sasha accused Madani’s politicians of orchestrating a campaign to have Muhyiddin charged, labelling it a clear political manoeuvre against the Pagoh MP.

She drew parallels to a similar case involving Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who was also charged under the Sedition Act last year. Sasha reminded Anwar of when the late Karpal Singh faced charges under the same act.

“We call out this act of hypocrisy by the prime minister and remind him of the time when all PKR and DAP leaders had rallied behind the late Karpal when he was charged under the same act for his statement made on the Perak ruler during the state’s constitutional crisis.

“There was even a stern and strong demand of the opposition for abolishing the Sedition Act from Harapan,” she added.

In 2014, Karpal was convicted of sedition for criticising the Perak sultan’s removal of Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as menteri besar in 2009. However, following Harapan’s rise to federal power a decade later, the Federal Court posthumously acquitted Karpal.

Before Sasha’s remarks, Bersatu assemblyperson Hilman Adham had also drawn parallels between Karpal’s sedition case and Muhyiddin’s situation.

Sasha further criticised the state of freedom of speech, contending that it now only protects those who praise the government.

“Any criticism made against the government and/or its allies is considered seditious and/or will be subjected to the postings being removed from social media or other forums.

“We may be in 2024, but things are no different from what they were in the authoritarian 1970s,” she added.

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