Nazri: Sedition Act needed for 'irresponsible people' like Zakir Naik
Alyaa Alhadjri
Published: Feb 21, 2025 6:52 PM
Updated: 9:52 PM
Summary
- Former envoy to the US Nazri Aziz says he is a defender of freedom of speech and expression, but stresses the need to retain the Sedition Act.
- Nazri says the colonial-era legislation must be retained to prevent speeches with the potential to incite racial, and religious tension in Malaysia’s context.
- He cites Indian national Zakir Naik as an example of an “irresponsible person” who should not be allowed to freely condemn other religions.
INTERVIEW | Nazri Aziz, the former Malaysian ambassador to the United States, is no stranger to personal attacks on social media, right up to his final days in Washington DC - almost all of which he chose to ignore.
Back for good in Kuala Lumpur, Nazri insisted he was a firm defender of freedom of speech and expression, who also believed in the need to retain the Sedition Act.
“To me, there is always a limit to free speech. Any speech that may lead to riots, racial, sectarian riots, it is too late already if it happens.
“So, we need the Sedition Act because it is a preventive law,” the former law minister told Malaysiakini in an interview at his home today.
“So I am a strong proponent of the Sedition Act. It should be there so we can take action against irresponsible people like Zakir Naik,” Nazri (above) said, referring to the controversial preacher previously investigated for his remarks about Hindus and Chinese in Malaysia during a lecture in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on Aug 3, 2019.
Earlier today, the Global Human Rights Federation berated Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail after the latter confirmed that there is no longer a gag order imposed on Zakir.
Back for good in Kuala Lumpur, Nazri insisted he was a firm defender of freedom of speech and expression, who also believed in the need to retain the Sedition Act.
“To me, there is always a limit to free speech. Any speech that may lead to riots, racial, sectarian riots, it is too late already if it happens.
“So, we need the Sedition Act because it is a preventive law,” the former law minister told Malaysiakini in an interview at his home today.
“So I am a strong proponent of the Sedition Act. It should be there so we can take action against irresponsible people like Zakir Naik,” Nazri (above) said, referring to the controversial preacher previously investigated for his remarks about Hindus and Chinese in Malaysia during a lecture in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on Aug 3, 2019.
Earlier today, the Global Human Rights Federation berated Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail after the latter confirmed that there is no longer a gag order imposed on Zakir.
Controversial preacher Zakir Naik
Its president S Shashi Kumar reminded the government that Zakir has been criticising non-Islamic religions for a long time, and it won’t take long before his speeches become a problem to Malaysia’s plural society.
“This is about the sensitivity of non-Muslims. We have to step up to safeguard our sensitives too.
“And I want to see how the non-Muslim leaders in the Madani administration try to justify this no-gag order against Zakir,” he stressed.
Yesterday, Saifuddin said in the Dewan Rakyat that the police ban against Zakir, in relation to investigations on his 2019 speech, is no longer in effect.
Respect the law
Commenting further, Nazri described Zakir as a former Hindu who goes around condemning the Hindu faith and its followers.
Asked for comments on Saifuddin’s remarks, which followed questions raised over Zakir’s recent appearance during a religious programme in Perlis, Nazri said, “…I don’t agree. Unless he’s only allowed to speak without touching on (other) religion.”
“Why the need to talk bad about another religion? You Muslim, you Muslim lah. He’s not even Malaysian.
“You come to my country you better respect the law. I don't care if he’s Muslim or not,” he said in a swipe at Zakir, an Indian national who received a Malaysian permanent resident status in April 2016.
“So yes, free speech, but the Sedition Act must be there to prevent any unwanted consequences of free speech.
“And I am a strong proponent of the Sedition Act,” stressed the former six-term Padang Rengas MP who continues to lead his Umno division.
Nazri concluded that an individual’s right to freedom of speech and expression can end when their action causes hurt to another individual or group of people.
Its president S Shashi Kumar reminded the government that Zakir has been criticising non-Islamic religions for a long time, and it won’t take long before his speeches become a problem to Malaysia’s plural society.
“This is about the sensitivity of non-Muslims. We have to step up to safeguard our sensitives too.
“And I want to see how the non-Muslim leaders in the Madani administration try to justify this no-gag order against Zakir,” he stressed.
Yesterday, Saifuddin said in the Dewan Rakyat that the police ban against Zakir, in relation to investigations on his 2019 speech, is no longer in effect.
Respect the law
Commenting further, Nazri described Zakir as a former Hindu who goes around condemning the Hindu faith and its followers.
Asked for comments on Saifuddin’s remarks, which followed questions raised over Zakir’s recent appearance during a religious programme in Perlis, Nazri said, “…I don’t agree. Unless he’s only allowed to speak without touching on (other) religion.”
“Why the need to talk bad about another religion? You Muslim, you Muslim lah. He’s not even Malaysian.
“You come to my country you better respect the law. I don't care if he’s Muslim or not,” he said in a swipe at Zakir, an Indian national who received a Malaysian permanent resident status in April 2016.
“So yes, free speech, but the Sedition Act must be there to prevent any unwanted consequences of free speech.
“And I am a strong proponent of the Sedition Act,” stressed the former six-term Padang Rengas MP who continues to lead his Umno division.
Nazri concluded that an individual’s right to freedom of speech and expression can end when their action causes hurt to another individual or group of people.
Various groups and individuals calling for the abolition of the Sedition Act - a British-era law - had argued there are various other provisions under the Penal Code and other laws which could be used against alleged offenders.
In July 2023, the government agreed in principle to study amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 to ensure the legislation was only used to protect the royal institution from acts of provocation.
However, last November, the Home Ministry said the Act will neither be amended nor repealed, as Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah reiterated the need for the law to safeguard the country’s harmony.
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kt comments:
That's why I have always like Nazri despite his head-kicking proclivity, wakakaka.
Naik should have been deported - still not too late, if PMX grows back his guli's.
Ah... but the Sedition Act is NEVER applied against 3R shit stirrers.loke Zakar Naik..or Hadi..
ReplyDeleteThe Sedition Act is primarily used to suppress those who are seen.as challenging the status Quo.