JOINT STATEMENT ON ABOLISH THE SEDITION ACT & THE FORMATION OF ABOLISH THE SEDITION ACT MOVEMENT/ GERAKAN HAPUS AKTA HASUTAN (GHAH)

    press-conference-on-GHAH

    We, the undersigned organisations have come together to express in the strongest terms our protest against the continuing usage of the repressive, colonial and undemocratic Sedition Act of 1948.

    We, the undersigned organisations have come together to express in the strongest terms our protest against the continuing usage of the repressive, colonial and undemocratic Sedition Act of 1948.

    The Sedition Act is a piece of repressive legislation made by the British colonial government to suppress freedom of expression and opinion of our forefathers who fought for the independence of our country. This legislation has to go if we want to be a truly independent nation.

    The Sedition Act is too broadly defined and is easily open to abuse by the government. It can and is being used to criminalise almost any kind of democratic speech including legitimate criticisms against the government, its leaders or the ruling political parties. Under the Sedition Act, almost anything said or published that is remotely contentious can be deemed seditious. The Sedition Act is clearly being misused to protect the government and its interests, clampdown on the opposition and dissidents, make certain issues off limits, stifle civil liberties and create a climate of fear reminiscent of the worst days under the iron fisted Mahathir regime.

    This trend is clearly illustrated in the conviction of Hindraf leader, P. Uthayakumar in June 2013 and former national chairman of Democratic Action Party, the late Karpal Singh in February 2014.

    Over the past month, the Sedition Act has been indiscriminately used in a new wave of political repression and terror whose targets have included elected representatives and lawyers who have a public duty to speak on matters of public interest.

    We are also extremely concerned with the selective prosecution under the Sedition Act by the Attorney General who is clearly targeting those who are critical of the government.

    Those who have been charged are:

    1.         David Orok                                           Member, Sabah Reform Party

    2.         Azmi Sharom                                       Law professor, University of Malaya

    3.         N Surendran                                        Lawyer, Padang Serai MP

    4.         Khalid Samad                                      Shah Alam MP

    5.         RSN Rayer                                            Lawyer, Seri Delima ADUN

    6.         Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman           President, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia

    7.         Teresa Kok                                           Seputeh MP

    8.         Chua Tian Chang                                Batu MP

    9.         Hishamuddin Rais                              Social Activist

    10.       Adam Adli                                           Student Activist

    11.       Safwan Anang                                    Student Activist

    12.       Haris Ibrahim                                     Lawyer/ Social Activist

    13.       Tamrin Tun Abdul Ghafar                 Political Activist

    14.       Md Shuhaimi Shafie                           Sri Muda ADUN

     

    Numerous others are being investigated including:-

     

    1.         Viktor Wong                                       Activist, Parti Rakyat Malaysia

    2.         Susan Loone                                       Journalist, Malaysiakini

    3.         Hassan Karim                                      Lawyer/ PKR Johor Vice Chairman

    4.         Rafizi Ramli                                        Pandan MP

    5.         Ali bin Jalil                                          Member of public

    6.         17-year-old schoolboy                        (unnamed)

    7.         Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin            Changkat Jering ADUN

    The Prime Minister had on 11 July 2012 and 3 July 2013 promised to repeal the Sedition Act.  It is shocking that despite this promise to the Malaysian public, the usage of the Act has greatly increased.

    The Sedition Act is being used as a new type of ISA, to stifle and repress the opposition, civil society and the public.

    At this critical hour, when our human rights are being trampled upon with impunity, we, the undersigned endorse the formation of Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH).

    The objective of GHAH is to carry out a national campaign to bring to an end the ever present threat of freedom of expression and opinion by the Sedition Act that hangs over every Malaysian.

     

    Information Source : www.suaram.net

    Objective

    Our demands are:

    –       REPEAL THE SEDITION ACT 1948

    –       DROP ALL EXISTING CHARGES AND RELEASE ALL THOSE INCARCERATED UNDER THE SEDITION ACT

    –       NO REPLACEMENT ACT WTH SIMILAR DRACONIAN PROVISIONS

    GHAH will be officially launched on 15 September 2014 and will be going nationwide to urgently push for the fulfillment of the above demands.

    Target Institution

    Goverment of Malaysia

    Organisation/s Involved

    1.     Aliran
    2.     All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
    3.     Amnesty International Malaysia
    4.     Anak Muda Sarawak
    5.     Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (Warga AMAN)
    6.     Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)
    7.     Association of Women Lawyers
    8.     Baramkini
    9.     Bersih Sibu
    10.     Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS)
    11.     Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
    12.     Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
    13.     Center for Reform, Democracy and Social Initiatives (CRD)
    14.     Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4)
    15.     Community Action Network (CAN)
    16.     Dam the Dams
    17.     Dapur Komuniti Serdang
    18.     Dignity International
    19.     ENGAGE
    20.     Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisation (PRIMA)
    21.     Friends of Kota Damansara
    22.     Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (G.A.M.I.S.)
    23.     Gabungan Persatuan Alumni Universiti Taiwan, Malaysia
    24.     GEMA-UMANY ALUMNI
    25.     Gerakan Bunga Raya
    26.     Global Bersih
    27.     Himpunan Hijau
    28.     Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs Studies (IDEAS)
    29.     Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)
    30.     Institute for Leadership and Development Studies (LEAD)
    31.     Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
    32.     Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM)
    33.     Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)
    34.     Jihad for Justice
    35.     Johor Yellow Flame (JYF)
    36.     Kajian Politik untuk Perubahan
    37.     Kelab Bangsar Utama
    38.     Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces (KRYSS)
    39.     Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
    40.     Kuen Cheng Alumni Association
    41.     Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independen (KAMI)
    42.     Lawyers for Liberty
    43.     Legasi Mahasiswa Progresif
    44.     Lensa Anak Muda Malaysia
    45.     Life for Democracy
    46.     Linkaran Islam Tradisional
    47.     LLG Cultural Development Centre
    48.     Malaysia Indians Progressive Association (MIPAS)
    49.     Malaysia Physicians for Social Responsibility
    50.     Malaysia Speakers Association
    51.     Malaysia Youth and Students’ Democratic Movement (DEMA)
    52.     Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce
    53.     Malaysian Youth Care Association (PRIHATIN)
    54.     Mama Bersih
    55.     Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN)
    56.     Nanyang University Alumni Association
    57.     National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT)
    58.     National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW)
    59.     Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall
    60.     New Era College Alumni Association
    61.     Northern Green Youth
    62.     Pahang Raub Ban Cyanide in Gold Mining Action Committee
    63.     Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Cawangan Nusajaya
    64.     Partners of Community Organizations in Sabah (Pacos Trust)
    65.     Pax Romana International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA)
    66.     Penang Forum Steering Committee
    67.     People Welfare and Rights Organisation (POWER)
    68.     Perak Green Pioneer (PGP)
    69.     Perak Women for Women Society (PWW)
    70.     Persahabatan Semparuthi, Johor
    71.     Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
    72.     Persatuan Bahasa Tionghua Northern Region Alumni
    73.     Persatuan Bahasa Tionghua Universiti Sains Malaysia
    74.     Persatuan Bekas Murid-Murid Confucian School Wilayah Persekutuan dan Selangor
    75.     Persatuan Bekas Siswazah Universiti and Kolej di China
    76.     Persatuan Hopo Kuala Lumpur & Selangor, Bahagian Belia
    77.     Persatuan Huian Quangang KL dan Selangor (Bhg Pemuda)
    78.     Persatuan Huian Quangang KL dan Selangor
    79.     Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
    80.     Persatuan Koh Yew Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
    81.     Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
    82.     Persatuan Mahasiswa University Malaya
    83.     Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor (PERMAS)
    84.     Persatuan Rapat Malaysia (RAPAT)
    85.     Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM)
    86.     Projek BERES
    87.     Projek Dialog
    88.     Pusat Komas
    89.     Rainbow Genders Society
    90.     Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
    91.     Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA)
    92.     Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group (SAWO)
    93.     Sahabat Rakyat Working Committee
    94.     Sarawak Student Progressive Front
    95.     Sarawak Youth for Change
    96.     SAVE Rivers
    97.     Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia ( SABM )
    98.     School of Acting Justly, LovingTenderly n Treading Humbly (SALT)
    99.     Selangor & Federal Territory Chung Shan Association
    100.     Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Association
    101.     Selangor Hokkien Association Youth Section
    102.     Sembang Sembang Forum
    103.     SHIELD Tam (ST)
    104.     Sisters in Islam
    105.     Student Progressive Front of Universiti Putra Malaysia (Gerakan Mahasiswa Maju University Putra Malaysia)
    106.     Students Progressive Front University Sains Malaysia
    107.     Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
    108.     Tamil Foundation Malaysia
    109.     Tamilar Action Force (TAF)
    110.     Tenaganita
    111.     Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
    112.     Teori Timur
    113.     The Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Foundry & Engineering Industries Association
    114.     The Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association Youth Section
    115.     The Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association
    116.     The Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Nan Ann Association
    117.     Tindak Malaysia
    118.     United Chinese Scholl Alumni Associations of Malaysia (UCSAAM)
    119.     Universiti Terbuka Anak Muda (UTAM)
    120.     University Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY)
    121.     Women Development of Malaysia PJ New Town Branch
    122.     Women’s Aid Organization (WAO)
    123.     Women’s Centre for Change
    124.     Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
    125.     Youth for Change (Y4C)