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By Mihar Dias Copyright ©️ July 2023
In a recent statement defending the sedition charges against Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim allegedly made a false and misleading claim, according to Zaid Malek of Lawyers for Liberty.
Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek strongly criticizes Anwar's defence, arguing that it misrepresents the nature of the charges and undermines freedom of speech in Malaysia.
Anwar Ibrahim's assertion that the Sedition Act was used against Sanusi because it pertains to the "position and dignity of the rulers" is baseless, according to Zaid Malek.
The second charge against Sanusi, which relates to the criticism of Anwar himself regarding the formation of the unity government, proves that Anwar's claim is unfounded.
Zaid highlights this discrepancy, exposing Anwar's misleading defence and raising concerns about the abuse of power within the government.
The Sedition Act itself comes under scrutiny in Zaid's analysis. Describing it as an unjust law rooted in the colonial era, Zaid argues that the Act violates freedom of speech and grants excessive powers to the government.
The broad terms used in the Act enable the government to determine what constitutes sedition, severely restricting political freedoms and curbing free speech in Malaysia.
"The Sedition Act 1948 is an unjust law in principle and must be repealed as no unjust laws can be made fair, no matter which party is in government, regardless of the reasons," he said.
It is worth noting that Anwar and his coalition, Pakatan Harapan, have previously advocated for the repeal of the Act, without any qualifications related to protecting the royal institution.
Zaid further warns against the potential consequences of using the Sedition Act to safeguard the sanctity of the royal institution, as it could pave the way for its extension to other sensitive matters such as race or religion.
Anwar's sudden change in stance on the Act is deemed deceptive and raises concerns about its unchecked use.
Consequently, Zaid advocates strongly for the repeal of the Sedition Act, asserting that it is inherently unjust. He calls for an immediate moratorium on its usage and emphasizes the need to repeal it outright during the next parliamentary session.
"Thus, we reiterate that the government must institute a moratorium on the usage of the Sedition Act and repeal it outright in the next parliament session," added Zaid.
By doing so, Zaid asserts that Malaysia can protect freedom of speech and political freedom, ensuring a more just and inclusive society.
Overall, the commentary presents a critical analysis of Anwar Ibrahim's defence of sedition charges against Sanusi.
It condemns Anwar's misleading statement and highlights the urgent need to repeal the Sedition Act to safeguard fundamental democratic rights of every Malaysian and protect freedom of speech and political freedom in Malaysia
We, too, call upon PMX and Pakatan Harapan coalition to ponder over the above opinion
seriously considering that their credibility in the eyes of the public is at stake over this fundamental misstep.
It could well be a major issue in forthcoming state elections, which till now is without anything worth noting.
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