The Seditious Act 1948 which will remain, should take on extremists and religious bigots, said Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Secretary general, Dato’ Sebastian Ting.
Ting who spoke on the issue, said it would be good for the Act to take against those who caused distrust and disharmony among the many races and religions in the country.
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said in the recent UMNO assembly that the Act would be strengthened with certain provisions, one of which was to take action against anyone who tries to instigate the separation of Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia.
“We also have to be mindful that Sabah and Sarawak are equal partners as what the first Prime Minister had stated. The provision should be done with caution, bearing in mind of Sabah and Sarawak’s Constitution, Conditions and Agreement. After all, none of the components in the Barisan Nasional mentioned about Sarawak leaving the Federation,” he added.
Ting pointed out that Sarawak have its own autonomy under the Constitution with the 18 points Agreement, while Sabah have 20, when they signed on July 9, 1963, to safeguard the rights and autonomy of Sarawak and Sarawakians.
Adding that there are bound to be grouses of certain quarters among Sarawakians, Ting said the best way was to engage with them to find out why. The Act should not be used selectively based on racial or religious prejudice. He said whatever actions are taken, one should not infringe on the rights of the people.
Najib had said his decision to keep the Sedition Act was made after considering feedback from the Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Wanita Umno, Pemuda Umno, Puteri Umno, the grassroots, as well as non-governmental organisations.
