Govt agrees in principle to review Sedition Act

The Cabinet today agreed in principle to review the Sedition Act 1948 (Act 15) to ensure the law is only used to protect the royalty from any provocations, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.

Azalina, in a statement today, said she had tabled in the Cabinet today the findings of the 3R Legal Dialogue held on July 21 in combating provocative issues involving religion, race, and royalty (3R).

She said other aspects of provocations involving religion and race will also be studied, including formulating new laws if necessary for the country's harmony and unity by taking into consideration the views of the rulers as the head of Islam as well as the best international practises and principles.

She said the Legal Affairs Division will take appropriate steps to review in detail the Sedition Act 1948 (Act 15).

"It is to ensure that the amendment that will be proposed is really intended to protect the institution of rulers holistically," she said.