Anwar's claim on Sedition Act was false narrative, says lawyer

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's statement that the Sedition Act was used on Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as it relates "to the position, dignity of the rulers" is misleading, says Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek.

He said the second charge against the Kedah Menteri Besar is about criticism of Anwar in relation to the formation of the unity government.

"Therefore, Anwar's claim that the Sedition Act had been used only because it involves position, dignity of the Rulers' is false," said Zaid in a statement on Wednesday (July 19).

He added that the use of the Sedition Act in the second charge is abuse of power as it relates to to criticism and mockery of Anwar

On Tuesday (July 18), Muhammad Sanusi pleaded not guilty to two charges under the Sedition Act, with the second of the two referring to his speech questioning Anwar's statement on the Royal Decree and the establishment of the unity government.

Speaking on the law, Zaid said the overly-wide terms used in the Act provides any government of the day with excessive powers to decide what constitutes sedition, which ultimately severely curtails free speech and political freedoms in Malaysia.

"The Sedition Act 1948 is an unjust law in principle and must be repealed as no unjust laws can be made fair, no matter which party is in government, regardless of the reasons," he said.

"Thus, we reiterate that the government must institute a moratorium on the usage of the Sedition Act and repeal it outright in the next parliament session," added Zaid.