No fine, just jail

A day after the passing of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, amendments to the Sedition Act were tabled at the Dewan Rakyat. The amendments propose to allow people to criticise the Government and the administration of justice but, in many cases, seek to deny bail and do away with fines, replacing them with jail terms instead. The maximum jail term is now 20 years and critics are crying foul.

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition MPs want the Bill seeking to amend the Sedition Act to be withdrawn or deferred on grounds that it would be

sub judice to debate it while the constitutionality of the Act is being decided by the Federal Court.

Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) and several Opposition MPs are expected to meet Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to seek the withdrawal of the Bill.

“We have filed submissions with the Federal Court on the matter with regards to (Universiti Malaya lecturer) Azmi Sharom’s case which has yet to be decided,” said Gobind.

He said Section 4(1A) of the Bill gives the Public Prosecutor the right to refuse bail for seditious acts which cause bodily injury or damage to property.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim confirmed that the Opposition MPs had met him on their request to defer the Bill.

“A response will be given, latest by Thursday,” he said.

Nancy Shukri, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law, said there was no issue on debating the amendments as the court case had nothing to do with the Bill.

“The Bill can still be tabled as it is not against the law,” she said, adding that Gobind’s views were his own interpretation of the law.

MPs were divided over the proposed changes.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (BN–Padang Rengas) welcomed the amendments. He said the Government wanted to clear the Act of any sections seen as inconsistent with the freedom of expression.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Gelang Patah) however, said the amendments would further aggravate the animosity among Sabahans and Sarawakians, referring to the proposed amendment to make it an offence to talk of secession of any state from Malaysia.

He said even though Sabah and Sarawak were among the richest states in the country, their people were among the poorest.