Sedition through the Internet, particularly social media, touching on religious sensitivities and calling for Sabah and Sarawak to leave the federation of Malaysia are among the elements taken into consideration in strengthening the Sedition Act 1948.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the move was necessary to preserve unity and harmony among Malaysia's multiracial society.
"These (three elements) are among the many elements that we have carefully studied in strengthening the Sedition Act...discussions were held with the legal advisers in the Home Ministry and Attorney-General's Chambers on what needs to be tightened or amended.
"The bill to amend the Sedition Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament in March next year," he said at a news conference after launching the 'From Bikers 4 Gaza' programme and Melaka Motorcycle Carnival at Autocity, Ayer Keroh, here.
Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and state police chief Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye.
The 'From Bikers 4 Gaza' event was to raise funds for the Palestines in Gaza suffering from Israel's oppressive Zionist regime, while the two-day motorcycle carnival from yesterday showcases over 200 motorcycles of various makes, besides featuring 30 display and product sales booths.
Ahmad Zahid said sedition through the Internet, especially the social media, should not be allowed to go on just like that, but needed to be curbed to prevent the problem from becoming cancerous and destroying harmony in the country.
"The Sedition Act was introduced in 1948 where there was no Internet at the time. Therefore, this act now needs to be amended, taking into consideration the existence of this communication facility and other modern channels of communication," he said.
However, he said, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 was a specific act for tackling misuse of the Internet in this country, with the police working together with the relevant authority, the Communications and Multimedia Commission, on this.
On another note, Ahmad Zahid said the government would not compromise with any demand for the ashes of Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader Chin Peng, to be brought back to this country.
"We will not allow his ashes to be brought back as we are sensitive to the feelings of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the soldiers, policemen and others whose family members were killed or maimed by the brutal CPM insurgents," he said.
A news portal today reported the call made by the 21st Century Malaysia Friendship Association, a non-governmental organisation, for the Malaysian government to respect the Hatyai Peace Accord signed on Dec 2, 1989 between the CPM and Thai government which allowed Chin Peng's ashes to be brought back to Malaysia.
Bernama
Sun Nov 30 2014
ZAHID: The bill to amend the Sedition Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament in March next year.
KPT mahu lahir ramai pakar dalam bidang kesihatan planet
Kerajaan bercadang untuk memberikan penekanan untuk menghasilkan graduan yang seterusnya menjadi pakar dalam bidang Planetary Health atau Kesihatan Planet di masa akan datang. Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Zaini Ujang ketika ditemu bual Astro AWANI seusai memberikan ucapan bersempena penganjuran Sidang Kemuncak Kesihatan Planet (PHAM 2024) pada Khamis berkata, untuk menjayakan perkara itu dua kerangka perlu dilaksanakan.
Kadar miskin tegar di Johor rendah, mampu diatasi
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berhasrat menoktahkan kadar kemiskinan tegar di Johor.
Katanya, Johor mencatat kadar kemiskinan tegar yang rendah iaitu kurang daripada 2,000 individu, dan mampu diselesaikan dalam masa yang singkat.
Katanya, Johor mencatat kadar kemiskinan tegar yang rendah iaitu kurang daripada 2,000 individu, dan mampu diselesaikan dalam masa yang singkat.
Google pecat 28 pekerja protes perjanjian pengkomputeran awan dengan Israel
Google memecat 28 pekerja yang mengambil bahagian dalam bantahan terhadap projek gergasi teknologi bernilai US$1.2 bilion untuk membekalkan perkhidmatan pengkomputeran awan kepada kerajaan Israel, Sputnik memetik laporan media AS pada Khamis.
Jepun dilanda gempa bumi, sembilan cedera
Sembilan orang dilaporkan cedera selepas gempa bumi berukuran 6.6 magnitud melanda barat daya Jepun, pada Khamis.
Peserta Freedom Flotilla to Gaza dari Malaysia tiba di Turki
Kesemua 19 peserta dari Malaysia yang menyertai misi Break the Siege of Gaza Freedom Flotilla tiba di Istanbul, Turkiye pada 2.47 petang Khamis (waktu tempatan).
Banjir di Melaka pulih sepenuhnya
Pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) yang diaktifkan di Melaka bagi menempatkan mangsa banjir di beberapa kawasan di negeri itu ditutup sepenuhnya pada Khamis.
SKMM sita telefon bimbit milik tiga individu
Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM) telah menyita telefon bimbit milik ketiga-ketiga individu untuk memuat naik video bagi membantu siasatan.
SKMM turut merakam percakapan Badrul Hisham (Chegubard),Salim Iskandar di Ibu Pejabat MCMC di Cyberjaya, Selangor. Sementara, Wan Muhammad Azri bin Wan Deris (Papagomo) dilakukan di Balai Polis Setapak.
SKMM turut merakam percakapan Badrul Hisham (Chegubard),Salim Iskandar di Ibu Pejabat MCMC di Cyberjaya, Selangor. Sementara, Wan Muhammad Azri bin Wan Deris (Papagomo) dilakukan di Balai Polis Setapak.
Bas langgar 11 kenderaan, dua cedera
Hilang kawalan akibat kegagalan brek dipercayai punca sebuah bas melanggar 11 kenderaan lain di persimpangan lampu isyarat Jalan Tan Swee Hoe-Jalan Kluang di Batu Pahat, Johor.
Bekas juruteknik didakwa kali kedua
Seorang bekas juruteknik sekali lagi dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur hari ini, atas pertuduhan membuat hantaran menghina agama Islam berkaitan isu penjualan stoking tertera kalimah Allah melalui Facebook miliknya, Mac lepas.
Penunggang motosikal maut tercampak 30 meter dari jejantas
Seorang penunggang motosikal maut selepas terjatuh dari ketinggian kira-kira 30 meter dalam kemalangan di Jejantas Sungai Tiram, Bayan Lepas petang Khamis.
Mangsa lelaki berusia 27 tahun itu dilaporkan meninggal dunia semasa mendapatkan rawatan di Zon Merah sebuah hospital swasta.
Mangsa lelaki berusia 27 tahun itu dilaporkan meninggal dunia semasa mendapatkan rawatan di Zon Merah sebuah hospital swasta.