PUTRAJAYA: Police will continue investigating reports on sedition even though the Attorney-General’s Chambers announced it is reviewing several cases, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid said it is the responsibility of the police to investigate such cases while it is the AG’s job to prosecute.

“Investigations will go on, as long as there are police reports,” he told reporters yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said the AG has the discretion to press charges based on provisions in the Sedition Act.

Critics of the colonial-era law, however, said the Act defines sedition too broadly and requires little proof for seditious “tendencies”.

The Act is also being used to silence dissent and has been used selectively against political opponents, they added.

Yesterday, Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong said the AG should drop sedition charges against those who had criticised Putrajaya.

Those who have been charged under the Act include several opposition politicians, a law professor, journalist, news portal, student activist and Muslim preacher.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who first promised to repeal the Sedition Act in July 2012, now faces pressure from Umno divisions to retain the Act on grounds of protecting the position of the Malays, Islam and the royalty. — The Malaysian Insider


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on September 12, 2014.