Don’t repeal Sedition Act yet, Wanita Umno tells Najib

Shahrizat wants the prime minister to consult the grassroots first before repealing the Sedition Act 1948. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Zhafri Azmi, November 9, 2014.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should postpone the plan to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 pending further discussions with all concerned parties, including Wanita Umno.

Its head, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said Putrajaya must take everyone's opinions into consideration, including the women's wing on the matter.

"It is not just a about listening to Wanita Umno but the grassroots as well. The Sedition Act should be maintained to guarantee internal security and public order.

"We will ask Najib to hold discussions with women from all levels, not just from Umno. Those at the grassroots level must also be represented."

The former women and family development minister said the request for the postponement would be made in the form of a memorandum.

"We will hand the memorandum to Najib soon," Shahrizat said in Kuala Lumpur today.

Shahrizat was attending a closed-door forum on Understanding the Sedition Act. Among the panel members were former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, lawyers Salehuddin Saidin and Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz.

She said the women's wing is also set to launch a petition drive to show Najib that many were against the repeal of the Act.

"The voice of the women cannot be cast aside and needs to be heard before a final decision is made on the Sedition Act," Shahrizat added.

Najib first announced the plan to abolish the Act in June 2012, to be replaced by a National Harmony Act. The Sedition Act was amended five times with the last one in 1975.

Of late, there has been growing calls among Pakatan Rakyat leaders, social activists and NGOs to repeal the Act given that many, apart from politicians, have been hauled up under this legislation. However, Najib's plan to abolish the Act is facing objection from Umno leaders and right-wing Malay groups.

Shahrizat also criticised Putrajaya for giving authority to certains NGOs to draft the new National Harmony Act, adding that it proved that the government feared the voices of certain NGOs who were calling for the Sedition Act to be abolished.

"We cannot allow a few personalities or NGOs that have their own political agenda to give their views and opinions.

"We are the government, we cannot be afraid of them and be too willing to follow what they say," he added.

Shahrizat was referring to the National Unity Consultative Council that was commissioned by Putrajaya to prepare the draft for the National Harmony Act.

NUCC was formed after the 13th general election, when racial and religious relations was put to the test, affecting the multi-cultural fabric of Malaysia.

- TMI