Press Statement
Sg Petani MP Johari Abdul’s call for use of Sedition Act against Kadir Jasin is in breach of the PH manifesto & the Cabinet’s moratorium
1 November 2018
We refer to the demand today by PKR’s Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul that Bersatu Supreme Council member A Kadir Jasin be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.
Former BTN director Johari Abdul’s call for usage of the Sedition Act is utterly irresponsible, and in complete disregard of Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) manifesto promise that the Sedition Act 1948 will be repealed.
Further Johari Abdul has blatantly ignored the decision of the cabinet announced on 11th October 2018 to impose a moratorium on the usage of the Sedition Act.
It is shameful for a senior MP and head of the government back bencher’s club to support the usage of this undemocratic law.
Worse than that, Johari is using the BN-style tactic of calling for mass police reports in Kedah under the Sedition Act against Kadir Jasin.
The repeal of this oppressive law is fundamental to PH’s promise to restore the rule of law to the country.
The Sedition Act is an archaic British colonial law, which was used by the BN to persecute the opposition, civil society and the public. Its wide terms allow it to be used for political purposes, as was regularly done by the BN.
There must be no back tracking by any PH MPs on the reforms promised in the manifesto.
To do so would be a complete betrayal of the Rakyat’s trust.
By calling for action under the Sedition Act, Johari Abdul is showing that he is no different from the BN leaders who trampled over the rakyat’s basic right to freedom of speech.
Released by:
Latheefa Koya
Executive Director
Lawyers for Liberty