Bukit Gelugor MP questions why Sedition Act still enforced despite government pledges to review and amend it
PETALING JAYA: Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh (pic) has called on the government to explain why the Sedition Act 1948 is still being enforced, despite previous assurances that it would be repealed or amended.
The call follows Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s written reply in Parliament to Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who had asked why the Act was still being used.
Saifuddin stated that the law would continue to be enforced “as long as it is still in force” and would be used “sparingly” in cases involving the Royal Institution and national sovereignty.
The former deputy law minister questioned why former journalist Rex Tan was recently investigated under the Act, when his alleged statements did not fall under either category.
“The government said in July 2023 that the Act was under review to ensure it only applied to protect the Royal Institution.
“In March 2024, the Cabinet agreed to begin amending the law.
“If the Act is under review or about to be amended, why is it still being used today?” he asked, adding that enforcing a law under review undermines public confidence in the government’s reform agenda.
Ramkarpal described the Sedition Act as “archaic, outdated, and draconian,” adding that the United Kingdom, from which Malaysia inherited the law, abolished it in 2009, while Singapore repealed it in 2021.
He urged the government to clarify the review’s status and reveal whether amendments will be tabled, debated, or replaced with legislation specifically protecting the Royal Institution.
“It has been nearly 3 years since the government announced that the said Act will be reviewed and Malaysians have the right to know if this promise will be fulfilled instead of being further delayed,” he said.
The arrest of Rex Tan has also reignited calls from other MPs to scrap the law.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok recently told theSun that the Act is outdated and should not be used to stifle public debate or target journalists, questioning the application of the Communications and Multimedia Act when no online content was uploaded or circulated.
Rayer echoed the criticism, describing the Act as archaic and unnecessary given existing laws such as the Penal Code and Communications and Multimedia Act.
Both MPs said Tan’s arrest was disproportionate and risked sending the wrong signal internationally about Malaysia’s commitment to freedom of expression.
