Former speaker: Now not the right time to repeal Sosma, Sedition Act

 

Former Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof has said now is “not the right time” to focus on repealing laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) and the Sedition Act.

Speaking at a lecture on “Rebuilding the nation through reforms” held in the Parliament building last night, Ariff urged the government to focus more on strengthening the nation’s economy and existing infrastructures. 

Emphasising the need for political stability, Ariff noted that Malaysia remains very polarised especially concerning issues of race and religion and that certain laws should remain intact to ensure political stability. 

“I used to push for the repeal of the Sedition Act… But recent developments made me realise that now might not be the right time… If you want stability, you have to repress the full extent of certain freedoms,” he said in his speech.

However, he also emphasised that safeguards should always be put in place to ensure “basic human rights and human dignity” for those detained under Sosma and the Sedition Act. 

When questioned by members of the audience on his stance, Ariff responded that he was not against repealing or reforming any of these laws but suggested that the nation was not yet ready for such action to be taken.

He instead emphasised the need for gradual change and noted that these laws should not be repealed immediately without being first amended according to relevant circumstances. 

“We have to change eventually but don’t repeal the entire act now without replacing it with something else. Because we need to have political stability. Maintaining a two-thirds majority (in Parliament) is not easy. 

“We cannot afford to have people running amok saying all kinds of things. Even as we speak, (there are things being said that are) very alarming. So there must be laws to prevent all this. But when the country becomes stable, only then would be a good time for us to commit ourselves (to repealing these laws).” 

When addressing the need for national reforms, Ariff explained, “We must first ask, what is it do we want to achieve? It is only then we can prioritise our reform efforts. So should we first be preoccupied with improving our freedoms and human rights? Or should we prioritise economic reforms instead?” 

The event was also attended by Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Azalina Othman Said. - Mkini