DAP: Enact anti-racism law but not under Sedition Act
PUCHONG: DAP MP Ramkarpal Singh today welcomed Islamic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa’s call for the government to legislate laws to curb hate speech in order to preserve racial and religious harmony.
However, the lawmaker was against the idea of incorporating the law under Sedition Act 1948.
“Mujahid’s proposal that such legislation to be incorporated by way of specific provisions in the Sedition Act is regrettable.
“Sedition Act has been identified by the Pakatan Harapan government as one of the draconian laws which ought to be repealed in this country.
“There have been many arguments for the repeal of Sedition Act and I am not going to repeat it here,” he said.
Earlier today, Mujahid said the government must include the law against hate speech under the Sedition Act.
He also called for the government to speed up the setting up of the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission by end of the year.
Ramkarpal said that the government’s initial idea of enacting the Racial and Religious Hate Crimes Bill and the National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill was laudable.
However, he was disappointed when the government backtracked on the idea and mooted the establishment of the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission instead.
“A commission will not have the bite of specific legislation as the police must be empowered to arrest and investigate hate speech speedily.
“That will only be possible if there is a specific law in place,” he said.
Ramkarpal then urged the government to relook into enacting the two Bills, or alternatively, come up with a single law solely aimed at tackling racism and hate speech.
“If one were to post on the Internet articles which can incite racial unrest, he or she must know that they can be arrested and charged.
“And I see no reason for such move to be opposed by any party as it is a noble aim to promote racial harmony which would be in the interest of all parties,” he said.
By G Vinod
