Cover image via malaysia-today.net
On Tuesday, 7 April, amendments to the Sedition Act were tabled and on Friday, 10 April, after a 14-hour long debate, the bill has been passed, making the updated Sedition Act an official law now
Image via Malay Mail Online
What's the deal with the new Sedition Act? We give you the gist of it:
1. From promising to repeal the Sedition Act to amending it, Najib's reason for doing so was due to concerns over recent acts of excessive provocation
Image via Malaysiakini
2. With amendments to the Sedition Act, it is hoped to allow the government to be more transparent
3. In one of the changes to the Sedition Act 1948, criticising the government is not considered seditious but criticising Malay rulers is
Image via Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia
4. It is also considered not seditious to criticise the judiciary
Image via The Malaysian Insider
5. Insulting religion, however, is a big no-no in order to keep the peace
6. Punishment under the updated Sedition Act will be compulsory jail time instead of a fine previously
Image via Human Rights Brief
7. Bail conditions will be less lenient and offenders – including young and first-time offenders – can be denied bail if injuries or damages were caused
8. Offenders charged with sedition will have their passport seized (so they can't pull an Alvin Tan)
Image via The Rakyat Post
9. Judicial discretion will be taken away, making sentencing a bit dicey in the Sedition Act
10. Changes to the Sedition Act will further be clamping down on electronic media and publication
Image via Rakyat Times
11. A person can be charged under sedition for sharing or re-tweeting content, or simply hosting material deemed as seditious
Image via Malaysia Today
12. According to Bar Council President, the updated Sedition Act also has more room for the potential abuse of power
13. The amendments on the Sedition Act received criticisms from lawmakers of both sides, Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional
14. "The government is declaring war on its people," Datuk Ambiga said of the amendments to the Sedition Act as well as the introduction of POTA
Image via Free Malaysia Today
MOST READ
