More than 50 civil society organisations resume the decade-old call for the abolition of the Sedition Act 1948 as the country recorded 21 freedom of expression cases in the first four months of this year.
Presenting the figures while unveiling the People’s Agenda’s leading up to the 15th general election, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy (above) said the government’s continuous clampdown on activists and critical voices undermined the pledges it made to promote and protect human rights.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, he said cases being investigated by the police under the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 alone had already exceeded 20.
“We are calling for the abolishment of the archaic Sedition Act and Section 233 of the CMA which was highly controversial.
“We are witnessing an unwanted and unnecessary usage of these two areas of the law to silence dissenters and intimidate the voices of people.
“These laws are repressive and the People’s Agenda is calling for all parties to ensure that all legislation protects human rights, due process and basic freedoms,” said Doraisamy.
He added that in graphic artist Fahmi Reza’s case the government used its resources to stop his satirical expressions.
Doraisamy said his case had also exposed the government’s hypocrisy in practicing double standards when they blacklisted his passport but allowed convicted former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to leave the country.
Fahmi ran into trouble with the authorities due to his artworks and has been charged twice this year.
He was on Feb 10 charged under Section 233(3) of the CMA for uploading an artwork that was deemed "insulting a minister" and again on Feb 17, under the same law for an artwork that targeted PAS over a liquor ban.
Suaram is one of the signatories to the People’s Agenda, which put forth five mandates for the adoption of political parties in the lead up to the 15th general election, during a press conference today.
Titled “Reclaim our nation: People first, democracy now”, the movement underscored the urgency to fight corruption and cronyism in the country.
It also pushed for democracy, dignity with quality of life, diversity and equitability in sustainable development.
Checks and balances
Adding that reform to key institutions too was necessary to ensure transparent checks and balances, Doraisamy called for the prioritisation of police reform.
He said with no specific certainty as to the date for GE15 that the mandate would help to kick-start conversations that were critical for the awareness of the electorate.
The People’s Agenda is led by six organisations and they are Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran); Pacos Trust, Sabah; Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia; Save Rivers, Sarawak; Suaram; and Undi18.
The five mandates the movement want political parties to adopt into their respective manifestos are as follows:
Uphold the dignity and quality of life of the people
Promote equitable, sustainable development and address the climate crisis
Celebrate diversity and inclusivity
Save democracy and uphold the rule of law
Fight corruption and cronyism
Aliran president Anil Netto said the group would hold webinars dedicated to each mandate between May and July this year.
He said political party leaders would be invited to the webinars to express their respective adoptability of each mandate. - Mkini
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