Dr Mahathir: Repeal of Sedition Act can lead to chaos

PETALING JAYA: The repeal of the Sedition Act could result in people calling for the dismantling of the royal institution and for the amendment of the constitution, warned Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic).  

The former prime minister said in his blog chedet.cc that Malaysians would be free to incite hatred once the Sedition Act was repealed and replaced by three other proposed Bills. 

“The extremists would be free to criticise the king and monarchy openly and even demand that the royal institution be dismantled. There is no law that can stop them,” he said on Monday. 

In May, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) Working Committee on Law and Policy, drafted three harmony Bills - the Racial and Religious Hate Crime Bill, National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill and the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill. 

Mahathir claimed that the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Restricted Residence Act saw the increase of crime in the country. 

He pointed out that there were “Le Majeste” laws in Thailand that prohibited the royalty from being insulted whereas in Malaysia there were no such laws.   

“Many might be angry against incitement to abolish the monarchy. But because the incitement is allowed to continue, those who want to establish a republic would be free to continue their campaign,” he said.  

Mahathir also said that chaos could reign in the country because of this. 

“This is the result of the liberal attitudes that we are placing on a pedestal,” he added.