COMMENT | Abolish Sedition Act, restore freedom of expression

COMMENT | There is growing concern when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Harapan-BN Plus government seems to be moving towards something like ‘lese majeste’ in Malaysia that will criminalise actions and speech about royalty.

In June, the government warned it would take “appropriate action” against any insults or threats towards the nation’s royal institution.

Within three years (2020-2022), 255 persons were investigated under the draconian Sedition Act 1948 (a law enacted by the British colonial government), but only four were charged. In 2023, the Act is still being used.

On Sept 25, 41-year-old Wan Ji Wan Hussin the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction for making seditious remarks against the Selangor sultan but reduced his sentence to nine months imprisonment.

In July, the Kedah menteri besar was charged under the Sedition Act for two offences in two different courts - one with regard to comments concerning the Selangor sultan, and another over a statement about the coalition government.

In March 2019, the police also investigated organisers and participants of the Women's March in Kuala Lumpur under the Sedition Act. This year, some...