KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Apr: There are many laws that give absolute power to the executive to suppress the people in ASEAN countries, including Malaysia.
The latest example, Chief Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said, is the introduction of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (POTA) and the drafting of the Sedition Act in Malaysia.
“The law gives absolute power to those above, greater than ever before.
“They have also imposed a mandatory minimum three-year jail sentence upon conviction, taking away the discretionary powers of the courts in this regard.
“This is indeed an “insult” to the judiciary and a double insult to all fair minded, peace loving people who cherish justice and freedom'” he said.
He said this during his speech at the ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People’s Forum Malaysia, here today.
The POTA bull was passed without amendment by the Dewan Rakyat on April 7 after being discussed for almost 14 hours.
Taking note of paragraph 4.2.3 of the CSO Statement on “Reclaiming The Asean Community For The People”, Mohamed Azmin said:
“It calls for repealing laws restricting, freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief” and urging “releasing those imprisoned or detained under such laws.
“These developments therefore violate the letter and spirit of the aspirations of the people,” he said.
NS