De facto Law Minister Nancy Shukry has seized upon Sunday’s protest against a shophouse church in Taman Medan, PJ, as proof that the unpopular Sedition Act 1948 is necessary to maintain public peace.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said that the Sedition Act should continue to act as a shield protecting national harmony and fostering racial unity in the country.
“This is also a clear indication to the Opposition that [the Sedition Act] is not only a weapon used against them. As I understand, some of the protesters were supporters of the Federal Government,” she said, as quoted by The Malaysian Insider.
It was previously reported that the gathering of about 50 Malay-Muslim protesters on Sunday was composed mainly of UMNO members and division leaders, including Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar’s brother, Abdullah Abu Bakar.
Prime Minister Najib Razak announced yesterday that the PDRM would initiate investigations into the incident, and if there were any violations of the law, the protesters could be charged under either the Sedition Act or the Penal Code.
Nancy added today that from a legal standpoint, either the Sedition Act or the Penal Code could be utilised for the case, although she deferred the decision to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
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