Abolish the Sedition Act, Sarawak activists demand
Dukau PapauPublished: Sep 15, 2014 8:00 AM | Updated: Sep 15, 2014 8:27 AM
A group of young activists in Sarawak, calling themselves ‘Eastern Theory” has issued a statement with 16 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state, demanding the repeal of the Sedtion Act.
The activist groups went on to vehemently denounce the government 's prosecution of NGO members, academicians, activists, politicians and ordinary citizens under the Sedition Act.
A group of young activists in Sarawak, calling themselves ‘Eastern Theory” has issued a statement with 16 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state, demanding the repeal of the Sedtion Act.
The activist groups went on to vehemently denounce the government 's prosecution of NGO members, academicians, activists, politicians and ordinary citizens under the Sedition Act.
“So far, no fewer than 14 individuals are being investigated and charged under the Sedition Act.
Among those indicted and investigated is Azmi Sharom (left), an associate professor of law, who has been charged under the Act because of his legal opinion on the political and constitutional crisis that occurred in 2009 in the state of Perak.
“Also, Malaysiakini journalist Susan Loone, who was detained and interrogated for a news article that she wrote.
“Last week, Ali Abdul Jalil, a social activist, was indicted on eight different counts under the Sedition Act.
“Recently, Victor Wong was investigated only for his statement on the chief of police in the social networking site Twitter, while human rights lawyer Edmund Bon is also being investigated on his statement on the issue fatwa,” the NGOs said.
'Government is intimidating the people'
They said said they saw such action by the government as attempts to block the voice of the people, and intimidation by the government against the activists and the people.
Expressing their full support for moves to abolish the Sedition Act, the groups called on tbhe government to drop all prosecutions charges under the Sedtion Act, to release all those imprisoned under the law and to pledge that a similar law will not be enacted.
“In addition, we, together with other NGOs and activist groups, will hold a campaign throughout the state calling for the repeal of the Sedition Act,” the statement said.
The joint statement was signed by Theory 1 East; Sarawak Youth for Change; Sarawak Student Progressive Front; Books Street Kuching; Voice of the People of Sarawak; Handfuls of Sarawak; Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia, Clean Sibu, Rise of Sarawak Effort (ROSE); Save Sarawak's River Network (Save Rivers); Borneo Research Institute, Malaysia (Brimas); Native Customary Rights Network Sarawak Indigenous Nations; Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) Sarawak; Angkatan Young Justice Sarawak; People's Justice Party (PKR) Sarawak; and Students' Council of Justice Sarawak.
The activist groups went on to vehemently denounce the government 's prosecution of NGO members, academicians, activists, politicians and ordinary citizens under the Sedition Act.
“So far, no fewer than 14 individuals are being investigated and charged under the Sedition Act.
Among those indicted and investigated is Azmi Sharom (left), an associate professor of law, who has been charged under the Act because of his legal opinion on the political and constitutional crisis that occurred in 2009 in the state of Perak.“Also, Malaysiakini journalist Susan Loone, who was detained and interrogated for a news article that she wrote.
“Last week, Ali Abdul Jalil, a social activist, was indicted on eight different counts under the Sedition Act.
“Recently, Victor Wong was investigated only for his statement on the chief of police in the social networking site Twitter, while human rights lawyer Edmund Bon is also being investigated on his statement on the issue fatwa,” the NGOs said.
'Government is intimidating the people'
They said said they saw such action by the government as attempts to block the voice of the people, and intimidation by the government against the activists and the people.
Expressing their full support for moves to abolish the Sedition Act, the groups called on tbhe government to drop all prosecutions charges under the Sedtion Act, to release all those imprisoned under the law and to pledge that a similar law will not be enacted.
“In addition, we, together with other NGOs and activist groups, will hold a campaign throughout the state calling for the repeal of the Sedition Act,” the statement said.
The joint statement was signed by Theory 1 East; Sarawak Youth for Change; Sarawak Student Progressive Front; Books Street Kuching; Voice of the People of Sarawak; Handfuls of Sarawak; Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia, Clean Sibu, Rise of Sarawak Effort (ROSE); Save Sarawak's River Network (Save Rivers); Borneo Research Institute, Malaysia (Brimas); Native Customary Rights Network Sarawak Indigenous Nations; Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) Sarawak; Angkatan Young Justice Sarawak; People's Justice Party (PKR) Sarawak; and Students' Council of Justice Sarawak.
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