Zahid: 274 cases investigated under Sedition Act since 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Between 2008 and May 29 this year, the Home Ministry has investigated 274 cases under the Sedition Act 1948.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 43 police reports were received, including one against the Datuk Ibrahim Ali, president non-governmental organisation, Perkasa.

He said in a follow-up to the reports, investigation papers were opened for further investigation under the Sedition Act 1948.

"The Government seriously views any action by any group or organisation which issues extremist statements which disregard the sensitivities of the people in the country.

"However, I have no plans to divulge the status of the cases as police investigations are ongoing.

"The statement issued by Teresa Kok that there has no action against the head of Perkasa and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) is not accurate. Both the bodies are not exempted from legal action in this country," he said in a written reply to a question from Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh).

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri said the abolition of the Sedition Act 1948 had not been finalised,  as studies and observations were still being conducted by various quarters.

"The Prime Minister had expressed the Government's intention to abolish the Sedition Act 1948 or Act 15 and replace it with the National Harmony Act on July 11, 2012," she said.

The objective of the National Harmony Act was not only to empower the law but also to find a mechanism to ensure the best balance between the need to protect freedom of expression - as contained in the Federal Constitution - and to enable legal action to be taken, she added. - Bernama