Does the Sedition Act apply to foreign governments?

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The Sedition Act's Application to Foreign Governments is Contested

Rights groups assert that the Sedition Act 1948, a colonial-era law, should not be applied to commentaries or critiques concerning foreign governments or entities outside of Malaysia. This contention arises in the context of the arrest of Selangor lawmaker Ronnie Liu, who was detained under the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for sharing images of protests in Thailand. Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Bersih 2.0, and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) have highlighted this incident as an instance of alleged police legal abuse, arguing that the Act is increasingly being used to silence dissent without posing a threat to national security or public order.
Concerns Over Police Legal Abuse and the Sedition Act

The recent arrest of Ronnie Liu under the Sedition Act 1948 has been cited by three rights organisations—Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Bersih 2.0, and the Centre for Independent Journalism—as a prime example of police legal abuse. These groups argue that the Act, a piece of colonial legislation, is being arbitrarily employed to stifle opposition. They specifically question the rationale behind using the Sedition Act against Liu for sharing pictures of protests in Thailand, asserting that the law does not extend to criticising foreign governments or entities located outside of Malaysia.
Calls for Repeal and an Independent Oversight Body

These non-governmental organisations have reiterated their long-standing demand for the complete repeal of the Sedition Act 1948, characterising it as a tool increasingly misused to suppress dissent. Furthermore, they have renewed their call for the establishment of a functional Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to investigate police misconduct. The groups contend that the consistent failure of the Royal Malaysia Police to uphold the highest standards necessitates such an oversight body.
Historical Context and Legislative Changes

The Sedition Act has a history of criticism as a mechanism for suppressing government dissenters. While the former Pakatan Harapan coalition had previously pledged to repeal the Act, this commitment was not fulfilled during their tenure. Concurrently, the proposed IPCMC Bill, which was intended to be tabled by the Pakatan Harapan administration, has been shelved by the subsequent Perikatan Nasional government. In its place, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan announced in August that the Bill had been withdrawn and replaced with the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC).

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Does the Sedition Act apply to foreign governments?

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