KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Lately certain quarters have been proclaiming that the right to free speech is an absolute right of every human being but little do they realise the havoc such freedom can unleash in a multiracial, multireligious society.
Remarks that sully one's race and religion can stir quite a bit of agitation in a country like Malaysia, with its plural society.
It is for this precise reason of maintaining Malaysia's peace, prosperity and stability that the government had decided to retain the Sedition Act 1948 and also beef it up to protect the nation's interests and security.
Despite the existence of this act, statements that reek of sedition are still being heard loud and clear, much to the chagrin of the people. Are the existing laws, including the Sedition Act 1948, not effective enough to check potential conflicts from flaring up?
Commenting on this, a political analyst said the authorities should continuously carry out more stringent monitoring in their efforts to enhance the enforcement of the Sedition Act 1848 to prevent anything untoward from happening.
Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Sciences lecturer Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said this was important as, currently, there were individuals who deliberately created issues, which could trigger racial conflicts and disrupt the nation's multireligious and multiethnic ties, just to gain popularity.
"In beefing up the enforcement of the act, we need the coordination and cooperation of the various parties involved, especially those responsible for nabbing individuals who cross the limits... action must be taken against them quickly and a heavy penalty should be imposed on them.
"A stiffer penalty as well as transparency in the prosecution process will prove that the authorities had taken the right action, and the public will also begin to have confidence in the enforcement agency," he told Bernama.
Echoing his views was Associate Prof Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, Dean of Universiti Utara Malaysia's College of Legal, Government and International Studies, who also called for a more deterrent penalty for offenders, saying that it would also serve as a reminder to the people not to behave indiscriminately.
He said such punitive measures were necessary to prove that the act has enough authority to clamp down on offenders, especially those who attempted to disrupt interracial harmony or questioned Islam or the special privileges and position of the Malays, as provided for in the Federal Constitution.
"Perhaps, a longer jail sentence and heavier fines should be imposed. Only then will people think twice before making uncalled for remarks," he said.
On the assertion that every human being had the right to free speech and could say anything without considering the repercussions on the people and nation, Ahmad Martadha said the freedom of expression should come with certain limitations.
"In the United States and Europe, it's considered as anti-semitism if individuals criticise the Jews, and action will be taken against them.
"Anti-semitism refers to those who criticise and oppose the Jews, and they are ostracised by society. And if they try to resort to using any element of violence, they will be charged with attempting to create chaos," he said, adding that people in any society should be taught the importance of respecting one another's religion and race in order to forge harmony.
What role does society play in empowering the Sedition Act 1948?
Sivamurugan said the people should come together to take collective action to combat the perception that the act was not being utilised in a serious and effective manner.
He said with society's involvement, the various loopholes and shortcomings in the act could be addressed, and there would no longer be any need to keep blaming the authorities.
"Our society has to take the initiative because today, extremism and radicalism are festering. People must come forward to complain because all of us have the responsibility to safeguard the peace and prosperity our nation enjoys.
"Apart from that, the silent majority must also act. Most of the extremists behave the way they do because they know the silent majority will not make any 'noise' against them," he said.
Sivamurugan also felt that the silent majority played a role in boosting the enforcement of the Sedition Act 1948, including not allowing offenders to get away easily.
-- BERNAMA
Remarks that sully one's race and religion can stir quite a bit of agitation in a country like Malaysia, with its plural society.
It is for this precise reason of maintaining Malaysia's peace, prosperity and stability that the government had decided to retain the Sedition Act 1948 and also beef it up to protect the nation's interests and security.
Despite the existence of this act, statements that reek of sedition are still being heard loud and clear, much to the chagrin of the people. Are the existing laws, including the Sedition Act 1948, not effective enough to check potential conflicts from flaring up?
Commenting on this, a political analyst said the authorities should continuously carry out more stringent monitoring in their efforts to enhance the enforcement of the Sedition Act 1848 to prevent anything untoward from happening.
Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Sciences lecturer Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said this was important as, currently, there were individuals who deliberately created issues, which could trigger racial conflicts and disrupt the nation's multireligious and multiethnic ties, just to gain popularity.
"In beefing up the enforcement of the act, we need the coordination and cooperation of the various parties involved, especially those responsible for nabbing individuals who cross the limits... action must be taken against them quickly and a heavy penalty should be imposed on them.
"A stiffer penalty as well as transparency in the prosecution process will prove that the authorities had taken the right action, and the public will also begin to have confidence in the enforcement agency," he told Bernama.
Echoing his views was Associate Prof Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, Dean of Universiti Utara Malaysia's College of Legal, Government and International Studies, who also called for a more deterrent penalty for offenders, saying that it would also serve as a reminder to the people not to behave indiscriminately.
He said such punitive measures were necessary to prove that the act has enough authority to clamp down on offenders, especially those who attempted to disrupt interracial harmony or questioned Islam or the special privileges and position of the Malays, as provided for in the Federal Constitution.
"Perhaps, a longer jail sentence and heavier fines should be imposed. Only then will people think twice before making uncalled for remarks," he said.
On the assertion that every human being had the right to free speech and could say anything without considering the repercussions on the people and nation, Ahmad Martadha said the freedom of expression should come with certain limitations.
"In the United States and Europe, it's considered as anti-semitism if individuals criticise the Jews, and action will be taken against them.
"Anti-semitism refers to those who criticise and oppose the Jews, and they are ostracised by society. And if they try to resort to using any element of violence, they will be charged with attempting to create chaos," he said, adding that people in any society should be taught the importance of respecting one another's religion and race in order to forge harmony.
What role does society play in empowering the Sedition Act 1948?
Sivamurugan said the people should come together to take collective action to combat the perception that the act was not being utilised in a serious and effective manner.
He said with society's involvement, the various loopholes and shortcomings in the act could be addressed, and there would no longer be any need to keep blaming the authorities.
"Our society has to take the initiative because today, extremism and radicalism are festering. People must come forward to complain because all of us have the responsibility to safeguard the peace and prosperity our nation enjoys.
"Apart from that, the silent majority must also act. Most of the extremists behave the way they do because they know the silent majority will not make any 'noise' against them," he said.
Sivamurugan also felt that the silent majority played a role in boosting the enforcement of the Sedition Act 1948, including not allowing offenders to get away easily.
-- BERNAMA
No comments:
Post a Comment