LFL is deeply concerned with the increased crackdown on freedom of speech and assembly against opposition politicians, in particular the investigation for sedition against 28 speakers at the massive Stadium Kelana Jaya rally on 8 May 2013.
Today, Parti Keadilan Rakyat state assemblyman Nik Nazmi was questioned for offences under section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and section 4(1) of Sedition Act 1948.
The police instead of wasting valuable public resources should tackle real crimes (like corruption, robbery, sexual offences etc.) instead of what are clearly politically motivated offences that only reinforces public perception that the police act at the behest of Barisan Nasional to harass, intimidate and persecute the opposition.
Stop wasting public resources and time
The Barisan National should be reminded that the Sedition Act is an archaic creation of the British occupier and out of place in a modern and democratic Malaysia – a fact that even Prime Minister Najib Razak acknowledged when he announced the government’s intention to enact the National Harmony Act in place of the Sedition Act.
We call upon the police to stop these wasteful and pointless investigations. The police instead of applying the law unevenly and in bad faith against the opposition should have congratulated the organisers and the public for the peaceful assembly despite not having the assistance of the police to facilitate traffic.
Eric Paulsen
Co-founder & Adviser, Lawyers for Liberty
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