Proham calls on the Federal Government to host a dialogue session with the Bar Council and other human rights organisations so as to reveal its plan of action in repealing the Sedition Act and replacing it with the promised Harmony Act. In this context it is important for the Federal government to also release the Human Rights Action Plan which Malaysia made as a commitment to the global community during the UPR in Geneva Human Rights Council discussions.
Proham calls on the authorities to discontinue the use of the Sedition Act till Parliament has introduced the new law with adequate protection for freedom of speech in the context of citizens responsibility in the balanced enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Issued on behalf of Proham by Datuk Kuthubul Zaman (Proham Chairman) and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham Secretary General)
Lawyers to march against Sedition Act on Oct 16
The Malaysian Bar today announced that its march against Sedition Act 1948 will be held on Oct 16.
The march, agreed upon by the Bar members at an extraordinary general meeting last month, is dubbed 'Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014'.
Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong (right) said that the lawyers gather for the march at 10.30am at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, dressed in chamber attire.
He said the Bar believes that lasting peace, unity and mutual respect will be promoted through ‘robust debate, diversity of opinion, and freedom of speech’.
"The Sedition Act 1948 is antithetical and counter-productive to these values, and to our aspirations for a better Malaysia.
"I call upon all members and pupils in chambers to please attend the walk and express your aspirations and support for a better Malaysia," he said in a statement today.
Calling for a repeal of the Act, he said Malaysia must be premised on "peace, harmony, unity, understanding and freedom from fear, intimidation, exploitation, oppression and extremism".
The Bar had previously led processions against police abuse and the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011.
The 'Walk for Justice' was held in 2007 where 2,000 lawyers marched 3.5km to the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya demanding that a royal commission of inquiry be established to stem the slide in the judiciary.
The march succeeded in compelling then-prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to set up a royal commission of inquiry into the infamous Lingam Tape on appointment of judges.
The march, agreed upon by the Bar members at an extraordinary general meeting last month, is dubbed 'Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014'.
Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong (right) said that the lawyers gather for the march at 10.30am at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, dressed in chamber attire.He said the Bar believes that lasting peace, unity and mutual respect will be promoted through ‘robust debate, diversity of opinion, and freedom of speech’.
"The Sedition Act 1948 is antithetical and counter-productive to these values, and to our aspirations for a better Malaysia.
"I call upon all members and pupils in chambers to please attend the walk and express your aspirations and support for a better Malaysia," he said in a statement today.
Calling for a repeal of the Act, he said Malaysia must be premised on "peace, harmony, unity, understanding and freedom from fear, intimidation, exploitation, oppression and extremism".
The Bar had previously led processions against police abuse and the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011.
The 'Walk for Justice' was held in 2007 where 2,000 lawyers marched 3.5km to the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya demanding that a royal commission of inquiry be established to stem the slide in the judiciary.
The march succeeded in compelling then-prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to set up a royal commission of inquiry into the infamous Lingam Tape on appointment of judges.
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