The Australian Bar Association (ABA) has joined international colleagues in supporting calls by the Malaysian Bar to repeal Malaysia’s controversial Sedition laws.
The impact of the Malaysian Sedition Act 1948 has recently been highlighted by the charging of a lawyer representing Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, N. Surendran, following comments that his client’s previous conviction was politically motivated.
It has been widely reported that Malaysian authorities have opened investigations into a number of people charged with, or under investigation for, sedition. These have included lawyers, academics and activists.
“Our colleagues in Malaysia led a Walk for Peace and Freedom on 16 October, which attracted the support of about 2000 people – mostly lawyers, but many concerned Malaysian citizens,” said ABA President Mark Livesey QC. “Ten Malaysian Bar Council members were able to present a memorandum to a representative of the Government, outlining the reasons the Sedition laws were outdated and unfair.”
Mr Livesey said the ABA fully supported the efforts of the Malaysian Bar.
“Sedition laws, no matter what country they are established in, are aimed at prohibiting political dissent or punishing speech or activities aimed at opposing the established order. These are laws within a criminal legislative framework that are open to abuse. In the worst of cases, they can criminalise speaking out against governments and their policies.
“In Australia we too need to be vigilant about carefully balancing our freedom of expression and the right to protest or express dissent, against ensuring security and prohibiting incitement to violence.
“We join our colleagues around the world in supporting the Malaysian Bar and concerned citizens in their peaceful efforts to convince the Malaysian Government to repeal the Sedition laws and we commend their initiative in organising the successful Walk for Peace and Freedom,” Mr Livesey concluded.
27 October 2014
Media inquiries: Jacqueline Stone 0403 272 843 or Mark Livesey 0402 149 606