Gov't to table National Harmony Bill this year

Putrajaya will table the National Harmony Bill this year, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong.

"We are still in progress, we hope to do it... maybe this year," the de facto law minister told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Liew said that the anti-hate speech legislation needs more time as various considerations have to be taken into account and stakeholders engaged.

However, he insisted that the Pakatan Harapan government is very much committed to the National Harmony Bill.

Liew was asked to comment on the allegation that the cabinet had decided against tabling the bill.

In its election manifesto, Harapan had pledged to revive the National Harmony Consultative Council to counter extremism and to formulate policies for better relations among different ethnic groups.

Last July, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy said the bill would be tabled soon.

The previous administration had in 2012 proposed to abolish the Sedition Act 1948 and replace it with a National Harmony Act. 

However, BN decided to retain the Sedition Act, which its successors Harapan have pledged to abolish.

As Liew said today, certain provisions within the Sedition Act are expected to be incorporated into the Penal Code next month. - Mkini