Why are rights groups reviving calls to abolish the Sedition Act?

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Rights Groups Revive Calls to Abolish Sedition Act Following Ronnie Liu's Arrest

Three prominent Malaysian rights groups, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Bersih 2.0, and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), have renewed their demands for the repeal of the Sedition Act 1948 and the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). This resurgence in advocacy follows the recent arrest of Selangor lawmaker Ronnie Liu, which these organisations have identified as a prime instance of alleged police overreach and the misuse of existing legislation.
Allegations of Legal Abuse and Sedition Act Misapplication

The aforementioned rights groups have asserted that Ronnie Liu's arrest under the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 serves as the most recent evidence of legal abuses perpetrated by the police. Liu was detained for sharing on Facebook images of protests in Thailand against their monarchy, accompanied by the caption, "Now in Bangkok. They are saying No to the King." The groups contend that the Sedition Act should not be applied to commentaries or criticisms directed at foreign governments or entities outside of Malaysia, questioning the police's rationale for taking action based on a social media post concerning another country's internal political situation.
The Case for an Independent Police Oversight Body

Central to the renewed calls is the argument that the consistent failure of the Royal Malaysia Police to adhere to the highest standards and operate within legal frameworks necessitates the creation of a functional IPCMC. Suaram, Bersih 2.0, and CIJ believe such a commission is essential for independently investigating instances of police misconduct. They argue that it is far-fetched to interpret Liu's post about events in Thailand as an affront to the Malaysian monarchy, suggesting that the police and any public complainant have unreasonably stretched the interpretation of the content.
Sedition Act as a Tool to Silence Dissent

These organisations reiterated their long-standing position that the Sedition Act 1948 should be abolished in its entirety. They view the law as increasingly susceptible to arbitrary abuse, employed to stifle dissent even in situations where national security or public order is not genuinely threatened. The historical context of the Sedition Act being criticised as a mechanism for suppressing government opposition further strengthens their argument for its complete repeal.
Past Commitments and Current Stance on Police Reform

The revival of these calls also highlights a perceived failure in past political promises. The former Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition had previously pledged to repeal the Sedition Act but did not follow through during its term. Similarly, the proposed IPCMC, which was intended to be introduced by the PH administration, has been shelved by the subsequent Perikatan Nasional government. In August, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, informed Parliament that the IPCMC Bill had been withdrawn and replaced by a new proposal, the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC). The arrest of Ronnie Liu has reignited the debate and underscored the urgency felt by these rights groups regarding police accountability and legislative reform.

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Why are rights groups reviving calls to abolish the Sedition Act?

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