KUALA LUMPUR: Some 90 arrests were made under the Sedition Act between 2024 and 2025, says Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (pic).
The Deputy Home Minister said this comprised 58 arrests last year and 32 arrests in 2024.
A total of 193 investigation papers were opened with only 14 charges pressed collectively over the same time frame.
There were 11 charges in 2024 with only three last year.
“The increasing number of arrests is a manifestation of the police taking firm action against the spread of 3R (race, religion and royalty) sensitivities.
“Swift action is taken to halt narratives that can create racial tensions or insult the royal institution,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Feb 26).
Shamsul Anuar explained that the decreasing number of charges reflects how the government is wary and that each case is scrutinised by the Attorney General’s Chambers.
“Only cases with firm evidence are brought to court. The rest are let off with warnings and continuous monitoring.
“Freedom of speech is not a licence to spread slander or spew hate speech,” he said.
He added that the increasing number of cases does not reflect a rise in such sentiments but instead contributed by various factors.
According to the deputy minister, this includes the presence of social media, which can result in such content spreading quickly.
“The rakyat too are more aware of what is happening and are reporting such instances,” he said.
He further stressed that the police take action against 3R matters fairly and transparently, without any biasness or political interference.
“The police do not operate based on instructions by certain quarters. We do so in accordance with the law.
“Each individual or group suspected of committing an offence will be investigated based on the enforced laws and regulations. This is regardless of their background or political stature.
“The police must be allowed to work without any interference,” he said.
He was responding to questions on this by Datuk Che Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) who asked about the matter.
