Former deputy higher education minister Saifuddin Abdullah’s proposal for the Sedition Act to be replaced by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC)’s proposed Bill has earned him the ire of an Umno minister. 
 
Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan said that by publicising their views on the Act, Saifuddin (left) and NUCC had overstepped its bounds.
 
“I disagree with Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah's view that the proposed National Harmony Act to replace Sedition Act will be based on NUCC's version.
 
“I believe NUCC was only tasked to give their inputs on the proposed new law, not drafting the entire provisions of the Act.
 
“NUCC's views should be presented to the government for consideration. Right now Saifuddin talks as if the NUCC's draft is final. That's wrong,” he said in a series of tweets yesterday. 
 
Abdul Rahman’s (right) comments come after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said that the government will “review” whether it should repeal the Act described by human rights groups as archaic and draconian. 
 
Najib had in 2012 promised to repeal the Act, but has come under pressure from right-wing groups, including cabinet minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob, who believe doing away with it will cause chaos. 
 
Proponents of the act also argue that repealing the Act will create a free-for-all of remarks against the royal institution and special position of Malays.
 
They also spoke out against the NUCC, whose proposed draft of the Bill includes criminalising race-based discrimination.  
 
NUCC’s proposed Bill was uploaded onto its website for public feedback before submission to the government.
 
Abdul Rahman said “splashing the contents” of its proposed Bill to the public “causes confusion" and that NUCC must first submit it for cabinet deliberation. 
 
“In fact, I don't think NUCC has the mandate to talk to public about their proposed National Harmony Bill,” he said. 

‘Anti-intellectual’ culture

Meanwhile, NUCC’s law and policy committee member Zharif Badrul said that the “anti-intellectual” culture carried by Abdul Rahman will only affect his image as a minister.

“At least NUCC, especially Saifuddin, dares to sit with the rakyat and listens to the rakyat’s views instead of sitting on a high chair and tweeting recklessly without any attempts to know what the rakyat want,” he said in a statement.

He claimed that NUCC was only helping the government to obtain input and suggestions related to the proposed National Harmony Act.

“NUCC is here to ensure that the National Harmony Act does not inherit the draconian and oppressive characteristics of the Sedition Act,” he said.

Zharif then said there was nothing wrong for the NUCC to prepare a proposed draft of the National Harmony Act as the suggestions came from the rakyat.

“We only act as a medium to convey the rakyat’s views to the government regarding the bill,” he said, adding that it wasn’t fair for the rakyat if the proposed draft of the bill was made in secret.

Further hitting out at Abdul Rahman, he also said it was unfair for him to hurl criticism when he had not read the suggestions contained in the proposed draft.

“This is especially since he never attended any series of discussions organised by the NUCC,” he said.

Related stories

Indonesian journalists appalled by Loone's arrest

Include hanging in Sedition Act, says activist

Minister flays Saifuddin over Sedition Act

AG reviewing Azmi's sedition charge

Johor Umno divisions want ISA resurrected

Perkasa brushes off urging by 'stupid Gerakan boys'

DPM wants swift action on social media sedition

Man jailed a year for insulting Muslims on FB

Haris Ibrahim’s appeal over sedition charge struck out

Najib never meant to abolish sedition law

How many more racist judges are there?

A history lesson for former chief justice