THEN WHY PROMISE TO REPEAL 3 TIMES! Defending Sedition Act is my responsibility as PM - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak defended his move to retain the Sedition Act 1948 as a responsibility to protect the peace and stability of the country.

He said it is his duty as the leader of the nation to ensure that all races from different religions can live harmoniously without any clashes.

"There are voices saying that the act is undemocratic. The international media has been attacking me, saying that I have 'broken my promise'," he said, referring to a pledge he made in 2012 to repeal the Sedition Act with the proposed National Harmony Act.

"My responsibility as the Prime Minister is to safeguard the peacefulness and safety of the country," he said.

Najib said this in his winding up speech at the Umno Annual General Assembly at Putra World Trade Centre here.

Najib, who is Umno president, said the public needs to understand that although freedom can be demanded, there must be a limit to it.

"There is no absolute freedom. Islam cannot be insulted. Malay privileges cannot be challenged. The monarchy system cannot be questioned," he said in his fiery speech, which was responded by cheers and shouts from the crowd of around 2,700 delegates attending the assembly.

He said the Sedition Act will be strengthened with other provisions in the next Parliament sitting.

On the criticism he received for deciding to retain the Sedition Act, Najib said there is no need for the public to fear the act if they do not plan to do anything seditious.

"No one has to be fearful if they are not going to incite (hatred between races and religion)," he said.

He also called the Attorney-General, police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to mobilise their force in getting those inciting hatred to be brought to justice.

"There will be no more warning after this. We want to ensure peace and stability in this country. We want to ensure all races and religion to respect one another," he said.

Najib, in his hour long speech, said the party also still needs the support of other races to ensure the Barisan Nasional's success in the upcoming 14th general election.

"What is the point of defending BN coalition if we do not need the votes from the other races?" he said.

"It is important to maintain BN, but at the same time the party will not sacrifice the principles that is close to the Malay group," he added. -Sundaily