THE Sedition Act is here to stay, says the Home Ministry.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the law is needed to preserve public order and security.
He added that the ministry had conducted a study to determine whether there was a need to amend the Sedition Act so that it is in line with current times, as well as digitalisation.
The ministry had also weighed on the consideration of whether a new law was needed to address race, religion and royalty (3R) issues, he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
“Following the study, the ministry tabled a memorandum to the Cabinet on the matter.
“The Cabinet had agreed in principle for the National Security Council and the Prime Minister’s Department to coordinate the drafting of the National Security Bill,” said Shamsul.
He added that this was to preserve the country’s security against external and internal threats including safeguarding the constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy and inter-religious harmony.
He was responding to a question from Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching) on whether there were plans to amend or repeal the Sedition Act.