KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 ― Much has been said about the Sedition (Amendment) Bill, tabled in Parliament this week. There are major concerns about many of the provisions of the Bill. But for internet users, the Bill, if passed, will severely restrict our freedoms online. The Bill will empower the Sessions Court to make what…
UN tells Putrajaya to withdraw amendments to Sedition Act
The United Nation’s Human Rights high commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today urged Putrajaya to withdraw its proposed amendments to the Sedition Act 1948, warning that the new provisions would seriously undermine the freedom of expression and opinion in the country. He said the proposal also breached the Federal Constitution and the country’s international human…
After hudud, Sabah, Sarawak may seek referendum for independence, ex-IGP warns
KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 — The implementation of hudud may lead Sabah and Sarawak to conduct a referendum for independence as the states had never agreed to the Islamic penal code before forming Malaysia, a former national police chief said, citing the Scottish independence referendum last year as an example. Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP)…
MCA Ministers must prove that the hudud bill was discussed in Cabinet, or they must resign from the Cabinet for having lied to the people
On March 31, Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz was reported to say that the Cabinet did not discuss the hudud bill during its meeting last week. Then on April 2, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapha Mohamad also openly confirmed that the Cabinet had not discussed Kelantan‘s hudud bill. He said the Cabinet…
Kelantan’s hudud breaks basis of secular Malaysia, Sarawak churches say
KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Kelantan’s hudud enactment violates the secular foundation upon which Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak had formed Malaysia, Sarawak churches said today. The Kuching Ministers’ Fellowship (KMF), a network of church pastors and leaders in Sarawak, joined the Sabah Council of Churches in criticising the passing of the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code…
Najib a self-styled reformer whose talk rings hollow
KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Razak’s U-turns on promised reforms and his silence in the face of political tension has proven that he is not capable of change, said MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok in a statement today. Calling the prime minister a “self-styled reformer”, Teresa also said, “Time has certainly proven that he is not a…
With introduction of more repressive laws, Najib is ignoring Muhyiddin’s warning and public sentiment at his own peril
Despite massive and legitimate criticisms against the new anti terrorism bill (POTA) and calls to defer it, the BN government decided to bulldoze it in Parliament on Monday. The Malaysian Human Rights Commission has today said that the bill is not in line with international human rights standards and the country’s position in top world…
Malaysian Bar calls anti-terror bill ‘shameless revival of ISA’
The Malaysian Bar has urged Putrajaya to withdraw the recently tabled Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2015 (Pota) and bring all other legislation into line with its commitment to respect the rule of law and principle of natural justice. Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru said the bill should be withdrawn because the anti-terrorism bill was another…