DPM: Harmony Act shows gov't serious about reforms
The repealing of the Sedition Act 1948, which will be implemented soon, is proof that the government is not just empty talk in bringing about political transformation, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
The repealing of the Sedition Act 1948, which will be implemented soon, is proof that the government is not just empty talk in bringing about political transformation, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the repealing of the act was also proof that the government is keeping its word on bringing national transformation which was not only in the socio-economic sector, but political transformation like in the abolishing of the Internal Security Act.
"We don't just talk or make announcements (on transformation), we act. Some of the laws we introduced we have enforced, this (repealing of the Sedition Act) is the latest step to show the government is in tune with the people," he told reporters after launching the Sungai Siputeh Mini Rural Transformation (Mini RTC) in Selama today.
The government was also concerned about developments and changes in Malaysian society which wanted a system that was more transparent, a step that was in tandem with democratic practices and demands for basic human rights, he said.
He said the opposition also did not expect the government to take this brave a step in bringing about transformation, escpecially in the political aspects.
Muhyiddin also said the perception that the soon-to-be abolished Sedition Act 1948 was being used against certain indivuals was not true.
He said he also hoped that the people could appreciate the sincerity of the government in bringing about national transformation, which also encompassed political changes.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday announced that the Sedition Act 1948 would be repealed and replaced with a new act to be known as the National Harmony Act.
Speaking at dinner function of the Attorney-General's Chambers in the federal capital, Najib said the decision to repeal the act was to find a mechanism that could ensure the best balance between the need to guarantee the freedom of speech for every citizen and the need to handle the complexity of plurality existing in the country.
The bill on the new act is scheduled to be tabled at the next sitting of Parliament.
- Bernama
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