Top US diplomat urges protection of political freedom after Sedition Act amendment

KUALA LUMPUR – The newly revised Sedition Act must not be used to curtail the freedom of speech by opposition politicians, US ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Yun said today, (April 17).

“We have said a number of times that freedom of speech should be protected.

“Now going forward, we hope it will be implemented in a way that protects basic freedom, freedom of the opposition on the political side,” Mr Yun said at a press conference after a dialogue on Human Trafficking at the One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya today.

While Mr Yun welcomed certain “improvements” in the revision such as allowing for criticisms against the government, he said that the international community joined the US in their hopes for a climate of greater freedom of expression in Malaysia.

“There’s still work in progress, and a lot is dependent on how (the Sedition Act) is implemented,” he said.

The US State Department on Wednesday issued a statement noting their “concern about restrictions of freedom of expression” with the amendments to the Sedition Act.

“Particularly worrying are new provisions that increase penalties – including for first-time offenders – and could make sharing allegedly seditious material on social media a crime,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Najib Razak had first announced the plan to abolish the act in June 2012, to be replaced by the National Harmony Act.

However, his plan faced objections from UMNO leaders and right-wing Malay groups, prompting Mr Najib to backtrack on his promise. THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER