No need to use Sedition Act against Dr M, says Saifuddin

 

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there was a lot that Dr Mahathir Mohamad could have done to protect the Malays when he was the prime minister.

SHAH ALAM: There is no need to take action under the Sedition Act against Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the former prime minister’s criticism of the government, said home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

However, Saifuddin said he would leave it to the police to take appropriate action if necessary.

“For now, I don’t see the need (to take action under the Sedition Act against Mahathir).

“The most important thing is that anyone can express their opinions but never cross the line and touch on matters related to religion, race, and the royal institution,” he told reporters here.

He was responding to a call by former law minister Nazri Aziz for action to be taken under the Sedition Act against Mahathir over recent criticisms levelled against the government.

Saifuddin said his ministry also took note of the organisation of a rally and the “Malay Proclamation” event which the former prime minister had been scheduled to attend.

The event was organised following Mahathir’s claim that Malays had lost more power under the current administration.

“I believe the people can see for themselves whether the allegations are true… Tun (Mahathir) had been in power for 22 years and 22 months. There was a lot he could have done to protect the Malays and prevent the things that he is now concerned about.

“So it is unwarranted for him to worry that such a thing (Malays losing power) has happened during these four months,” he said.

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Earlier, Saifuddin attended the Ikon Madani Townhall organised by Yayasan Prihatin Nasional which was attended by about 2,000 Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia students. - FMT