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Saturday, October 4, 2014

Over Aussie TV, Ambiga’s clarion call to repeal Sedition Act

Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan yesterday urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to keep his word in repealing the Sedition Act. – The Malaysian Insider pic, October 4, 2014.Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan yesterday urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to keep his word in repealing the Sedition Act. – The Malaysian Insider pic, October 4, 2014.
Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has described Putrajaya's ongoing sedition blitz as "not making any sense" and an abuse of the Sedition Act, Australia’s national broadcaster reported today.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) yesterday, Ambiga highlighted the use of the law, which she said was "archaic", to round up dozens of people critical of Putrajaya.
"As far as I am concerned, it's a complete abuse of the sedition law. Looking at the numbers… from May last year till September this year, 31 cases, but in the last two months, there were 20," the Negara-Ku co-chair, a recently formed people's movement, said.
Najib made this pledge in 2012. But, it has yet to be fulfilled.
On why this was so, Ambiga said: "This is the same thing that has been going over in our minds... but looking at the people being charged so far, that would give you a clue.
"You're looking at possibly 11 to 12 of the opposition members and leaders charged or investigated… activists, academics, etc. None of it makes sense."
Ambiga said on the face of it, Putrajaya's use of the law was meant to contain chaos. But none of those voicing their opinions could cause such chaos.
Referring to the Malaysian Bar's "Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014" on October 16, the ABC reported Ambiga as saying that this was the right time for the people to overcome any fear they have of the blitz, and join the call against the act.
"We must oppose this law, Not only is the law vaguely worded, it is very easy for people to be found guilty. If anyone should speak up against the law, it should be the lawyers.
"This is about talking truth to power. We got to speak out," she said, adding that the sedition blitz was an attack on free speech and was totally unacceptable.
Asked who Najib would listen to, Ambiga said that in terms of diplomacy, the international community should also do their part on the matter.
Applauding the prime minister's recent speech against religious intolerance and extremism at the United Nations General Assembly, she said Najib should also repeat it in Malaysia.
"He made a wonderful speech, I wish he would made the same speech at home...and not be fearful of the facist elements in the country," she said.
Ambiga ended the interview by saying Malaysians were looking forward to Najib keeping his word and repealing the act, as he had promised.
The prominent lawyer is currently on a visit to Melbourne, Australia, and would take part in several public forums and workshop on democracy.
Putrajaya's ongoing sedition dragnet has hauled up a string of opposition politicians, social activists, law academicians, and news portal Malaysiakini and one of its journalists, as well as Muslim preachers, all of whom have either been charged with sedition, facing trial or are under investigation.
Later this month, six PKR lawmakers will also take their protest against Putrajaya's sedition blitz to five cities in Australia.
PKR vice-president and Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli will lead the team to stops in Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney from October 17 to 23 where they will meet Malaysian students, academics, Australian government officials and parliamentarians, including independent senator Nick Xenophon.
- TMI

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