Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today Malaysia could descend into chaos if the government went ahead with a proposal to abolish the Sedition Act 1948.
He said the proposed new law to replace the act would not be able to prevent all kinds of sedition that would occur.
"The people will be subjected to all kinds of sedition, including incitement to amend the Federal Constitution. It is not inconceivable that they would agitate for the institution of the monarchy to be abolished," he said in his latest post on his blog, http://chedet.cc.
Dr Mahathir said the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Banishment Act had resulted in a rise in various kinds of crime in the country.
"Sedition, despite its occurrence, has not exceeded the limits," he said.
Dr Mahathir said that without the Sedition Act, the extremists among the people would be free to openly criticise the rulers and the monarchy and eventually call for the abolition of the institution of the monarchy.
"No other law can stop them after the abolition of the ISA and the Sedition Act," he said, adding that Malaysia did not have legislation that could prevent any ridicule of the rulers and the monarchy like the 'Lese Majeste' in Thailand.
He said many people might be angered by the agitation to abolish the monarchy but, because sedition was allowed, those interested in making Malaysia a republic would have the right and freedom to proceed with their campaign.
"The possibility is that chaos will occur in the country. This is a result of the liberal attitude that we exalt now," he said.
The government announced on May 30 a proposal to introduce a new law to replace the Sedition Act and confirmed having received the drafts of three bills on national harmony.
This followed an announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in 2012 to abolish the controversial act to, among other things, enhance freedom of expression among the people.
The three bills are the National Harmony Bill, National Unity Bill and National Unity and Integration Commission Bill.
Dr Mahathir previously criticised the proposal to introduce the three new laws which he had said would be deemed to continue to marginalise a section of the people besides eliminating the advantage based on race, religion, ancestry, place of birth, gender or the needy.
Bernama
Mon Jun 30 2014
MAHATHIR: The abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Banishment Act had resulted in a rise in various kinds of crime in the country. -File Photo
Jangan kecam, politikkan penganjuran Jejak Harmoni - Aaron
Kementerian Perpaduan Negara (KPN) berharap penganjuran program Jejak Harmoni yang menyantuni pemimpin agama dan penganut di rumah-rumah ibadat di negara ini tidak dikecam atau dipolitikkan.
Agenda pemantapan tatakelola, integriti jadi asas utama SPRM
SPRM akan memastikan agenda pemantapan tatakelola serta penginstitusian integriti menjadi asas utama selain siasatan kes jenayah rasuah yang menjadi tugas agensi itu.
Bursa Malaysia ditutup tinggi susulan sentimen positif pasaran serantau
Pada 5 petang, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) meningkat 5.91 mata kepada 1,575.16 daripada paras penutup 1,569.25 pada Khamis.
Pasukan sorak Malaysia raih tempat ketiga di Florida
Pasukan sorak Team Malaysia Youth All Girls meraih tempat ketiga divisyen Youth All-Girl Median di International Cheer Union World Junior Cheerleading Championship.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Sekumpulan pakar PBB gesa laluan selamat bagi misi penghantaran bantuan
Sekumpulan pakar dari Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) menggesa agar laluan selamat bagi misi Break The Siege Freedom Flotilla to Gaza pada Jumaat.
Sabah FC berdepan tunggakan sebulan gaji pemain - Pengarah
Sabah FC kini hanya berdepan tunggakan gaji pemain untuk satu bulan setelah usaha dilakukan secara tuntas untuk menyelesaikan masalah pembayaran tunggakan sejak tahun lepas.
Tumpuan Jumaat - 26 April 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
MYAirline akan terus kekalkan barisan pemegang jawatan, dapatkan pelbagai pelabur
MYAirline Sdn Bhd akan terus mengekalkan barisan pemegang jawatan yang dilantik dan pengurusan utama selain memastikan dokumentasi Sijil Perakuan Pengendali Udaranya (AOC) kekal dalam keadaan terkini.
China sokong Malaysia untuk dapatkan pembangunan yang sesuai dan mainkan peranan dalam arena antarabangsa
China akan memberikan sokongan kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim untuk mempromosikan prinsip Malaysia MADANI dalam tadbir urus.
Perasuah semakin licik, perlu sokongan semua pihak terutama media - Azam Baki
Rasuah merupakan jenayah yang unik sifatnya pada masa kini dan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) memerlukan sokongan daripada semua pihak khususnya media untuk membanterasnya.