KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to kickstart the process of amending several laws, including the contentious Sedition Act of 1948, has received praise from human rights groups.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) director (Asia) Phil Robertson lauded the commitment demonstrated by the administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, noting that this had long been a reform advocated by them.

However, he said it was essential to conduct thorough consultations and engage with stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive review and revision of the act.

"Not too long ago, Anwar and his coalition campaigned on a promise to abolish the Sedition Act, not merely reform it.

"At the very least, they are now indicating that addressing these rights-violating laws remains on their agenda, which could be seen as progress.

"But consultations should involve civil society groups, lawyers, and other stakeholders, not just the police, and it's essential to remember that while talk with human rights may be abundant, meaningful action is what's truly needed," he told the New Straits Times.

He said the government might need to revise the broad definitions of what constitutes "sedition" and make them more specific.

This would provide clarity to the public regarding the law's coverage and what actions could lead to trouble.

"As it stands, being charged with sedition feels like a guessing game, as controversial blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris discovered when he unexpectedly faced repercussions for discussing the government's stance on the Gaza conflict.

"The indiscriminate use of sedition charges to silence political critics and adversaries must cease, and this can only be achieved by limiting the wide discretionary powers currently granted to officials like the home minister under the current law to determine what constitutes as 'sedition'."

Robertson added that if the government was not willing to abolish the Sedition Act, then it must seriously consider narrowing its scope.

This would prevent its arbitrary application to whatever the government of the day deems as seditious.

"Just consider Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he was prime minister, targeting anyone who dared to speak out about the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. It was clear he was trying to suppress information from surfacing."

Earlier, it was reported that the government had agreed to begin amending a number of legislation, including the controversial Sedition Act 1948. 

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was to ensure that 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues were effectively managed.

He said the review would also involve the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, as well as the Penal Code. The cabinet, he said, had given its nod to the move.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1030347/move-start-process-amending-several-laws-including-sedition-act-praised