The prosecution of Nik Nazmi and investigation of Adam Adli under the Sedition Act show that BN is not able to turn over a new leaf after its dismal showing in GE13.
For the first time in Malaysian history, Barisan National lost 89 parliamentary seats to Pakatan Rakyat, and BN received only 47% of the popular vote compared to PR’s 51%.
However, it is obvious that BN has failed to learn any lessons from their poor performance in the popularity stakes. Instead, it is now using Sedition Act to oppress PR leaders and pro-PR activists.
PM Najib Razak said in July last year that the Sedition Act represented a bygone era and would be replaced with a new law to prevent incitement of religious or racial hatred. However, 10 months after his statement, not only Najib has yet to repeal the repressive law, but he has spectacularly failed to uphold his pledge to protect civil liberties.
Why are only PR leaders and anti-government activists subject to the investigation and charges under the Sedition Act? Why is Utusan Malaysia not being charged for its “Apa Cina Mau Lagi?” headline? Why is the Home Affairs Minister not investigated for his “leave Malaysia” comment? Are BN leaders and their proxies above the law and immune to prosecution?
We urge the police to release Adam Adli immediately, stop harassing PR leaders and pro-PR activists, and start investigating Utusan Malaysia dan Datuk Zahid Hamidi under the Sedition Act immediately. Failing that, the new IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar will be seen as a tool of BN to persecute its opponents.