Sedition Act hovers over talk on nation's future
Koh Jun LinPublished: Sep 16, 2014 6:00 AM | Updated: Sep 16, 2014 4:13 PM
Participants at a meeting on charting Malaysia's future direction have requested that the proceedings not to be reported, although members of the media were present.
Participants at a meeting on charting Malaysia's future direction have requested that the proceedings not to be reported, although members of the media were present.
Former minister Saifuddin Abdullah (left) explained that it was related to the Sedition Act, which has been invoked against numerous people, including opposition politicians, activists and academics, over the past month.
"We are unfortunately living in a country where we still have the Sedition Act, and sometimes people tend to misinterpret.
"I know journalists will report based on what you hear and what you see, but readers may not understand it, and then suddenly some people get into trouble for what he or she said with good intentions.
"So because of that, some people are not comfortable, so they requested that what was said inside is not quoted," he said.
Saifuddin also revealed that some issues that are normally considered "sensitive" or "taboo" to some sections of society had been raised during the meeting.
"They were raising it in a very casual manner, but still polite, and people can accept it.
"I get this feeling that there is really no such thing as 'sensitive issues' that cannot be discussed, because it can be discussed in a civil and casual manner," he said.
The meeting is the first in a series of discussions spearheaded by the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMM) and Akedemi Belia.
Move not to replace Dr M's Vision 2020
Saifuddin said the goal is to produce a document that would be called the "people's document or the people's opinion" on what is Malaysia's future direction, which should become a guide for the country.
"We aim to submit this document to the government," said the former higher education who moderated the discussion at GMM’s office in Kuala Lumpur.
Saifuddin currently heads GMM as its chief executive officer, and Akedemi Belia as its chairperson. Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is GMM’s founder and patron.
The ex-minister told reporters that 30 NGOs participated in the meeting, while others like the Malaysian Aids Council was not present but submitted proposals to be tabled.
Aside from the nationwide series of discussions, Saifuddin said the groups would be collecting public feedback online as well, via its Facebook page “Masa Depan Malaysia - Future of Malaysia’, and the Twitter hashtag #MasaDepanMalaysia.
Saifuddin said he intends to finish the consultation by the end of the year and submit the document early next year, but this could be delayed if participants ask for more time.
To a question, Saifuddin said the move is not meant to replace Vision 2020 mooted by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed.
"On the whole, Malaysians believe in Vision 2020 and work as hard as they can to realise it. All prime ministers since Mahathir affirm it, hold on to in and try to achieve it.
"We hope it will be achieved as well, but then? That is the question," he said in response.
Former minister Saifuddin Abdullah (left) explained that it was related to the Sedition Act, which has been invoked against numerous people, including opposition politicians, activists and academics, over the past month."We are unfortunately living in a country where we still have the Sedition Act, and sometimes people tend to misinterpret.
"I know journalists will report based on what you hear and what you see, but readers may not understand it, and then suddenly some people get into trouble for what he or she said with good intentions.
"So because of that, some people are not comfortable, so they requested that what was said inside is not quoted," he said.
Saifuddin also revealed that some issues that are normally considered "sensitive" or "taboo" to some sections of society had been raised during the meeting.
"They were raising it in a very casual manner, but still polite, and people can accept it.
"I get this feeling that there is really no such thing as 'sensitive issues' that cannot be discussed, because it can be discussed in a civil and casual manner," he said.
The meeting is the first in a series of discussions spearheaded by the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMM) and Akedemi Belia.
Move not to replace Dr M's Vision 2020
Saifuddin said the goal is to produce a document that would be called the "people's document or the people's opinion" on what is Malaysia's future direction, which should become a guide for the country.
"We aim to submit this document to the government," said the former higher education who moderated the discussion at GMM’s office in Kuala Lumpur.
Saifuddin currently heads GMM as its chief executive officer, and Akedemi Belia as its chairperson. Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is GMM’s founder and patron.
The ex-minister told reporters that 30 NGOs participated in the meeting, while others like the Malaysian Aids Council was not present but submitted proposals to be tabled.
Aside from the nationwide series of discussions, Saifuddin said the groups would be collecting public feedback online as well, via its Facebook page “Masa Depan Malaysia - Future of Malaysia’, and the Twitter hashtag #MasaDepanMalaysia.
Saifuddin said he intends to finish the consultation by the end of the year and submit the document early next year, but this could be delayed if participants ask for more time.
To a question, Saifuddin said the move is not meant to replace Vision 2020 mooted by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed.
"On the whole, Malaysians believe in Vision 2020 and work as hard as they can to realise it. All prime ministers since Mahathir affirm it, hold on to in and try to achieve it.
"We hope it will be achieved as well, but then? That is the question," he said in response.
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