Violations against monarchy may come under Penal Code

PARLIAMENT | Some provisions within the Sedition Act 1948 involving violations against the monarchy may be incorporated into the Penal Code.

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said there are such proposals and they would be discussed by the cabinet.

"For now, we are not discussing whether to have lèse-majesté laws similar to Thailand," said Muhyiddin during ministerial question time today.

He was responding to a question by Ramli Mohd Nor [BN-Cameron Highlands] on whether the federal government will enact such laws.

Muhyiddin acknowledged there had been more cases of social media abuse involving seditious statements against the royalty of late.

He said that between 2012 and now, police have investigated 97 related cases and 11 individuals have been charged.

The solution, he said, was to create more awareness campaigns to remind the public of sensitivities regarding religion and the royal institution.

He said the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 would be refined as well to address social media abuses.  - Mkini