Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low has come to the government's defence amid a diplomatic swipe from US Vice President Joe Biden regarding the Sedition Act.
Disagreeing, he said: "We are a democratic society where people can express their views within certain boundaries."
As for the Sedition Act, Low told Malaysiakini that the legislation is necessary to protect harmony in the country but conceded that the Act must be “redefined”.
"The Sedition Act is too wide," he explained.
The minister, who is in charge of integrity, said the government must ensure that the application of the amended law is fair.
Earlier today, Biden tweeted about US' concern about the use of the Sedition Act and other laws to stifle the opposition.
He also said the Malaysian government could set things right with regard to the upcoming verdict on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's final appeal against his sodomy conviction.
Puzzled by U -turn
Paul Low
The US ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y Yun earlier told Malaysiakini that they were “puzzled” with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s decision to backtrack and retain the Sedition Act.
Last week, during the Umno general assembly, Najib announced that the Sedition Act will remain and will be fortified, which got him a standing ovation from the delegates.
'Sedition maintained not to stifle criticisms'
Low said that people should not “look into the past” and criticise Najib for his decision to retain the Sedition Act.
“As far as the Act is concerned, the prime minister has made it clear now. Let us not talk about the past,” he said.
Low maintained that the Sedition Act was retained to preserve harmony, “not to stifle the opposition”.
"The act is to be used for people who incite hatred, violence and disharmony, even on religious issues.
"I strongly believe that it has no intention to stifle criticisms of the government, discussion in public, and freedom of speech, including that of political parties'," Low said.
Judiciary 'independent'
When asked on PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s trial which was also tweeted by Biden, Low replied that the judiciary will make its decision without government interference.
“The government does not control the judiciary. The judiciary is independent. How can the government influence the judiciary?” he questioned.
On March 7, the Court of Appeal sentenced Anwar to five years’ jail for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in 2008.
The opposition leader’s final appeal against the sentence went on for seven days at the Federal Court and is currently awaiting the decision to be announced.
Act protects every Malaysian
Joe Biden
In a statement issued this evening, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the government has decided to retain and strengthen the Sedition Act in the interest of preserving peace and stability in multiracial and multicultural Malaysia.
"It is incumbent upon the government to safeguard the country’s growth and prosperity and well-being of the people.
"Thus appropriate laws need to be in place to tackle issues that could cause racial and religious tension and curb detrimental acts that could breach the harmony enjoyed by all Malaysians," he added.
Anifah said the government is confident that the Sedition Act will protect the interests of each and every Malaysian and is necessary to prevent extremist acts such as racial and religious extremism. - Mkini
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