Rais: Cabinet firm on Sec 114A, but will study it

The Cabinet is "carefully studying" Section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950 which is much discussed in cyberspace, in line with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's directive.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim (left)said today the government held a firm stand on the matter but so far, there were no plans to make new amendments to the Act.

The amendment to Section 114A was one of two made to the Act which were gazetted in July this year, receiving various reactions from Internet users.

A campaign was mounted against the Act by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) with its banner titled, 'Stop 114A', appearing on Facebook and downloaded by Internet users in the country.

The development has caught the prime minister's attention who is now in Mecca attending the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Extraordinary Summit, and he has straight away asked the Cabinet to discuss the issue, through his Twitter account yesterday.
    
Rais said the Cabinet got an idea from what was tweeted by the prime minister on the issue, and Section 114A was now being scrutinised.

Rais was met by reporters at a breaking-of-fast organised by his ministry with the cooperation of the Malaysia Islamic Development Department and Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council at the Putra Mosque, here.

Earlier, in his speech, Rais urged the Muslim community in Malaysia to strenghten unity so that Islam would continue to flourish.

- Bernama