KUALA LUMPUR: Bloggers, activists, human rights groups and average citizens are praising Malaysia's government decision to repeal the old, colonial-era Sedition Law from the country's penal code. The move, said Bersih 3.0 activist Aziz Ahmad Mahammad, “is a good idea that could help make Malaysia a truly modern country.” For him, who has been roughed up by police and seen friends detained for speaking out, the move is a positive step toward reform. “We are definitely happy about the move, but what we want to see is what will come of the things they put in its place,” he added. “It really depends on what happens next.” Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Wednesday the repeal of the colonial-era Sedition Act 1948, marking another milestone in a wide-ranging series of reforms designed to “promote Malaysia's development into a mature, modern and progressive democracy." In a speech at the Attorney General's Chambers on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister said that the Sedition Act will be repealed and replaced with the National Harmony Act. The new act, the PM argued, will “safeguard the right" to freedom of speech while protecting national unity by preventing the incitement of religious or ethnic hatred. The Prime Minister has instructed the Attorney General to hold a full public consultation before the new legislation is drafted to ensure that the views of all Malaysians are represented. “The Sedition Act represents a bygone era in our country and with today's announcement we mark another step forward in Malaysia's development," said the prime minister. “The new National Harmony Act will balance the right of freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution, while at the same time ensuring that all races and religions are protected. “Our country's strength lies in its diversity. The new Act underlines my commitment to nurturing the spirit of harmony and mutual respect that has been the foundation of our stability and success," Razak added. The announcement follows a series of reforms being pushed by the PM. They represent what some observers tell Bikyamasr.com are among the biggest shake-ups of the Malaysian political system since independence from Britain. These reforms, all of which have been implemented rapidly, include ending Malaysia's State of Emergency, the repeal of the colonial-era Internal Security Act and replacing it with the Security Offenses Bill 2012, which limits detention without trial to 28 days, the introduction of the Printing Presses and Publications (Amendment) Bill, which removes the requirement for newspapers and printed publications to renew their license to print annually; and a review of laws relating to freedom of assembly, resulting in the new Peaceful Assembly Act.
