PM: National Harmony Act to replace Sedition Act

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sedition Act 1948 will be repealed and replaced with a new National Harmony Act as part of the country's political tranformation plan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced Wednesday.

Najib said the decision to replace the Sedition Act was made to find a mechanism to determine the best balance between ensuring every citizen's freedom of expression, and the need to handle the complex nature of the country's multi-racial and multi-religious society.

"With this new Act, we would be better equipped to manage our national fault lines. It will also help to strengthen national cohesion by protecting national unity and nurturing religious harmony," Najib said in his speech at a dinner here with the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"The fact is that the vibrant efforts to colour Malaysia's political canvas has just begun," said Najib, adding that many other changes were being prepared in efforts to shape a politically mature society in the country.

He also announced that recent amendments to laws as well as new laws relating civil liberties would be implemented immediately, namely the Security Offences Act (Special Measures), The Printing Presses and Publications Act as well as the Universities and University Colleges Act.

Najib, on Sept 15 last year, announced the repealing of several laws, including the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 and three Emergency proclamations.