What does Section 298A of the Penal Code prohibit?

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Section 298A of the Penal Code Prohibits Actions That Undermine Religious Harmony

Section 298A of the Penal Code outlines prohibitions against acts that foster disharmony, disunity, or negative sentiments such as enmity, hatred, or ill-will among religious groups. It specifically targets actions that prejudice the maintenance of religious harmony or unity. This section aims to safeguard the peaceful coexistence of various faiths within the nation by criminalising conduct that could incite religious conflict or division.
Offences Related to Causing Religious Disharmony

The legislation defines a range of offences under Section 298A. These include any act intended to cause disharmony, disunity, or to stir up feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious groups. Furthermore, it covers actions that prejudice the maintenance of harmony or unity on religious grounds. The intent behind these provisions is to prevent the exploitation of religious differences for divisive purposes.
Application to Non-Muslims Questioned by Court of Appeal

A significant legal development occurred when the Court of Appeal ruled that Section 298A of the Penal Code was not applicable to non-Muslims. This ruling stemmed from a case involving Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, who had faced charges under this section related to a mock Ramadhan video. Their legal team successfully argued that a prior Supreme Court decision from 1988 established that the section specifically concerned the regulation and practice of Islam.
Impact on Legal Proceedings and Other Charges

This Court of Appeal decision led to the dismissal of the charge against Tan and Lee concerning religious hostility. However, the duo continues to face other legal challenges. They are still subject to a charge under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act for publishing a seditious photograph and accompanying text related to a halal logo and "bak kut teh." Additionally, they face a charge under subsection 5(1) of the Film Censorship Act 2002 for displaying pornographic images on their blog.

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What does Section 298A of the Penal Code prohibit?

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