Enforcement of Sedition Act must be fair, says Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says the Sedition Act cannot protect or ensure Barisan Nasional will be re-elected. – The Malaysian Insider pic, November 30, 2014.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today that the enforcement of the Sedition Act must be fair and according to law.

The prime minister said the Act was not just about the protection of Muslims and the Malays, but extended to all races.

The law, he added, was needed to ensure that there would be no conflict and acrimonious relations between the races and various religious groups in the country.

Citing the racial riots in London three years ago and demonstrations across the United States over the past few days, Najib said even developed countries were not spared racial and religious tension.

"In Malaysia, if such things happen, it can turn up very ugly, people will be killed, people will go for each others' throats, and what we have built over such a long time since independence will be destroyed overnight.

“We cannot afford to see that happening in Malaysia,” he said when opening the People’s Progressive Party annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

He also said that there is no ulterior motive in his decision to retain the law, stressing that the move does not ensure the ruling party will win in the next general election.

"The Sedition Act cannot protect or ensure that Barisan Nasional will be re-elected in the 14th general election, only the will and support of the people will decide that," he said.

Najib had announced three days ago at the Umno general assembly that the Sedition Act will be maintained, reneging on his promise made two years ago to repeal it.

He said the Act would be fortified with additional provisions that would make it a crime to insult Islam and other faiths.

Another provision would prohibit talk on Sabah and Sarawak leaving Malaysia.

At a press conference after the Umno assembly last night, Najib maintained that he had not retreated from his moderate position, noting that the law was to cater to all Malaysians rather than his core support base, the Malays.

"I've always maintained that this law is good for Muslims and non-Muslims, Malays and non-Malays. Because it will protect all. It's protection for all.

"We don't want any religious or ethnic conflict to happen in this country. We will do our utmost to prevent it from happening."

- TMI