PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed in principle to review the Sedition Act 1948 (Act 15) to ensure that it is used solely to protect the royal institutions from any form of provocation.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said stated that other aspects related to provocation involving religion and ethnicity will also be examined, and new legislation may be enacted if necessary.
She emphasised the importance of preserving the harmony and unity of the country, taking into account the views of the royal institutions as the leaders of Islam based on best international practices and principles.
"Today, I presented the outcomes of the 3R Legal Dialogue held on July 21 to the cabinet, addressing the issue of provocation involving religion, ethnicity, and the Institution of Rulers (3R). The dialogue was attended by representatives from various ministries and departments, including the Ministry of National Unity, civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academics.
"The Cabinet has agreed in principle to review the Sedition Act 1948 appropriately to ensure that this legislation is used solely to protect the Institution of Rulers from any form of provocation," she said in a press release today.
Azalina said that the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department (BHEUU JPM) will take the necessary steps to conduct a detailed review of the act to propose amendments aimed at holistically safeguarding the royal institutions.
Previously, Azalina had stated that the results of discussions with several agencies, including NGOs, regarding 3R-related legislation would be presented to the Cabinet.
This move will allow the Cabinet to assess whether the existing laws are sufficient or need improvement, thereby curbing the exploitation of these issues, especially as political tools.
In earlier reports, two former law ministers had agreed that the Sedition Act 1948 should be retained, especially to protect the dignity of the royal institutions from insults and disparagement.
The President of the Senate, Tan Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, asserted that the Sedition Act should not be abolished as long as matters and values protected by the law still need to be preserved.
Former Law Minister, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, believed that the Sedition Act is suitable to restrain members and political parties from excessively using 3R issues (Rulers, race, and religion). However, he suggested that the act should be amended to ensure its fair and non-oppressive use against any party.