Umno lawmaker wants Sedition Act withdrawn

Kinbatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin wants Putrajaya to withdraw the amendments to the Sedition Act so that more discussion on the controversial changes could be held. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, April 8, 2015.Following criticsm from lawyers and civil rights group, an Umno lawmaker wants Putrajaya to withdraw the amendments to the Sedition Act so that more discussion on the controversial changes could be held.

Kinbatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin said lack of awareness on the changes among the public had triggered some confusion.

"That is not good. That is why we must see the content of the amendments carefully and people should be allowed to voice their opinion," he told the media in parliament today.

Bung Mokhtar said that the amendments proposed by Putrajaya must be good for the people, adding that if they were detrimental, they should be withdrawn.

“The amendments must be for the good of the people. If it is good, we will support. If not, we ask the government to pull back the amendments and discuss the content instead,” the flamboyant Bung Mokhtar added.

The amendments to the Sedition Act will include refusing bail to those charged under the colonial-era law and an increase of the penalty for those convicted, with a minimum of three years imprisonment and a maximum of five years.

"Among the issues of concern are the increasingly harmful and malicious comments, postings and publications that jeopardise the valued ideals of Malaysia – tolerance, racial and religious harmony," Putrajaya said in justification of the amendments.

"Even more alarming are the calls for secession of states in the Federation of Malaysia established by the consensus of the peoples of Malaysia and unwarranted attacks against the sovereign institutions of Malaysia, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the ruler of the states."

- TMI