(Apr 16): After the US State Department, the European Union (EU) has also expressed concern over Putrajaya's move to strengthen the Sedition Act instead of repealing it, saying that this would impact the freedom of expression in Malaysia.

"This can have implications for the exercise of freedom of expression as demonstrated by recent controversial instances of application of the act.

"As a friend to Malaysia, the EU recalls that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and trust in due process are essential tenets of any democratic system, underpinning growth, prosperity and harmony," a statement issued by the EU's High Representative spokesperson in Brussels, and issued through the office of the Delegation of the EU to Malaysia, said today.

It noted that Malaysia had initially pledged to repeal the colonial-era law.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made that promise in 2012, but under pressure from Malay conservatives last year, made an about-turn, citing the need to preserve national harmony and security as well as to prevent talk of secession by East Malaysian states.

The Dewan Rakyat or lower house of Parliament this month approved amendments to the act, which critics have said only make the law more draconian.

Yesterday, the US State Department in a statement said the amendments were a threat to freedom of speech and public discourse.

"The United States notes the April 10 passage of amendments to Malaysia’s Sedition Act, and we reiterate our concern about restrictions on freedom of expression in Malaysia.

"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," it said in the statement issued through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

"We welcome the decision to remove provisions outlawing criticism of the government and the judiciary, and we hope the government of Malaysia will therefore reconsider recent sedition charges brought under those now-defunct sections of the law," it said.

"Other aspects of the Sedition Act amendments, however, threaten to restrict unduly speech and public discourse."

Among the provisions is the removal of bail for those charged, and empowerment of the courts to order the removal of seditious material on the Internet.

Opposition MPs mounted a fierce campaign to stop the amendments from being passed in the Dewan Rakyat last week, saying the law was open to abuse due to vagueness of the term “sedition”.

However, they were outnumbered and the amendments were passed by a vote of 108 to 79.

Putrajaya has been on a sedition blitz against opposition politicians, activists, academics, lawyers, journalists and Muslim preachers who have either been charged with sedition, are facing trial, or are under investigation under the law. – The Malaysian Insider