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Press Release: Raja Petra Kamaruddin charged under archaic legislation which should be repealed PDF Print E-mail
Contributed by Ambiga Sreenevasan   
Tuesday, 06 May 2008 07:21pm

Ambiga Sreenevasan • Bar Council laments use of Sedition Act
• Bar shocked over Raja Petra's prosecution

The Bar Council is shocked and disappointed that the authorities have resorted to charging Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the Sedition Act over an article he authored and posted on his Malaysia Today website.

The Sedition Act is a draconian, archaic and repressive piece of legislation that has long outlived any perceived utility it might ever have had. This statute is incompatible with the progressive, open and democratic society that we had believed Malaysia was becoming. The Bar Council has in the past commended the opening up of democratic space in this country. However, the use of the Sedition Act and other repressive legislation like the OSA, ISA, the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Police Act is disconcerting, and lends credence to the view that in fact the democratic space in Malaysia is still severely curtailed.

The Sedition Act and other authoritarian laws represent a severe encroachment on the fundamental freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. These fundamental civil liberties are indisputable hallmarks of any democracy and must be safeguarded if Malaysia is to lay any claim to being a democratic nation.

The use of the Sedition Act in contemporary Malaysia (coming a few days after World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on 3rd May 2008) is also incompatible with the Home Ministry’s recently announced intention to loosen the annual licensing requirements for newspapers. The Bar Council had hoped that this signalled the first of many reforms that would herald a new era of openness and transparency.

To show commitment to the rule of law and the democratic process, the government should repeal such repressive legislation and focus instead on encouraging open discourse on issues of concern to the Malaysian public. In the meantime, the authorities should refrain from using such repressive laws. We call on the authorities to immediately withdraw the charge against Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan
President
Malaysian Bar

Comments (2)Add Comment
Its time to walk again Dato
written by Visvanathan Murugiah, Wednesday, May 07 2008 12:54 pm

Dear Dato,

I say it is high time we sent a clear and loud message that the use of archaic and draconian laws such as the ISA and the Sedition Act will no longer be tolerated by civil society. I think we need to send that message in no uncertain terms that we the Bar find it reprehensible that the government continues to use outdated and repressive laws.

Dato, I say we walk again. The time for memorandums and press conferences have long gone by. I say we walk again. It is time we walk and send a clear and unequivocal message that the continued use of such repressive laws must STOP. IT MUST STOP NOW.

The ball's in your court now Dato. I pray you would do the right thing. We need to mobilise the Bar again. What say you my fellow brothers and sisters ?

Visvanathan Murugiah

If the proposed walk can pay for itself ...
written by Jason Kay Kit Leon, Wednesday, May 07 2008 03:22 pm

And dare I hope, have some left over; I'm sure proposals and arrangements will be made. But I think we should focus on the more urgent matter of the EGM on Friday for now.

Jason Kay Kit Leon


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