Putrajaya to review Sedition Act to solely protect Rulers, says Azalina

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Azalina - Bernama pix
PUTRAJAYA - The government has agreed to review the Sedition Act 1948 [Act 15] to ensure that the legislation is used solely to protect the Rulers from any provocation.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said further said that the agreement was reached in principle after presenting the results of the 3R (race, religion, royalty) Legal Dialogue to the Cabinet.

Other aspects link to provocation involving religion and race will be looked into in the drafting of new legislation on national harmony and unity, taking into consideration the views of the Rulers as heads of Islam and best international practices.

"The Legal Affairs Division and the Prime Minister's Department will take appropriate steps to thoroughly review the Sedition Act 1948 [Act 15] and ensure that the proposed amendments aim to holistically protect the institution of the Rulers," she said in a statement on Tuesday.

It was reported earlier that there are consideration to create a new act possibly the National Harmony Act, similar to Singapore's Ethnic Harmony Act.

Meanwhile, former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri had suggested that the government enact the Racial Hatred and Religious Extremism Act to address the increasing 3R issues.