PROHAM RTD ON SEDITION ACT

Is it a mechanism to protect constitutional guarantees or

a political tool to supress freedom of speech ?

 Date:               Nov 17, 2014 (Monday)

Time:               4pm to 6.30pm

Venue:             Conference Room, Law Faculty, University Malaya

The Sedition Act was first introduced in Malaya in 1948 by the Colonial power. It continues to be on the statute books. Prime Minister Najib in 2013 promised to repeal it however there is now increased investigations and prosecutions using this act.

This Roundtable Discussion (RTD) hosted by Proham & the University Malaya Law Faculty, KL will provide a comprehensive overview of the Sedition Act and the court cases and judgments so far. It will explore the merits and demerits of such a law for Malaysia today

It will critical analyse if the Sedition Act protects constitutional guarantees such as religion, language, special position and monarchy effectively or is just a political tool. We will explore if there are better approaches, models and mechanisms to address a balance between sedition laws and freedom of speech from a human rights perspective.

Panel of Speakers

Datuk Kuthubul Zaman (Proham Chairman) – Overview of Sedition Act and cases since Merdeka

Tan Sri Zaman Khan (Former Senior Police officer) – The need for the Sedition Act and why some sections of Malaysian Society still want it

Mr Syahredzan Johan (Bar Council's National Young Lawyers Committee) – Why this campaign against the Sedition Act and the “Walk for Peace and Freedom”

Mr Lim Chee Wee (Former Bar Council Chairman & NUCC Deputy Chair Laws & Policy working committee) – Alternative proposals to the Sedition Act, why and what

Panel Moderated by:- Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham)

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Participation is by registration: Email- prohamsecretariat@gmail.com