“IF, to expose the fraud and imposition of monarchy… to promote universal peace, civilisation, and commerce, and to break the chains of political superstition, and raise degraded man to his proper rank; if these things be libellous… let the name of libeller be engraved on my tomb.” – Thomas Paine, 1792

I read with great chagrin on the rubbish spewing by current government as to its excuses for not abolishing the Sedition Act 1948.

On top of that, few people were arrested recently for purportedly insulting the outgoing Agong by posting demeaning social media comments against him.

What year are we living now? This reprehensive act was introduced in 1948 by the colonial British with the intent to curb any opposition to colonial rule.

Apparently, we are still living under colonial rule since this archaic law is still widely used in 2019.

I could understand if the likes of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin, Mukhriz Mahathir and those crossover frogs from Umno are fighting tooth and nail to maintain this act which served them well during their last time in power.

But not hearing anything from the current crop of ministers who mostly are graduated from “Kamunting University” either “majoring” under ISA or Sedition Act is revolting.

Lim Guang Eng was jailed for a lengthy period after being found guilty of this act in 1998 for trying to protect a poor underage Malay girl being raped by ex-chief minister of Malacca. I guess power can make people forget about others’ suffering much less their own election promise. And the irony is not lost on me.

The foundation of democracy is freedom of speech. If you take this away, our independence is just in name.

Put any provision that you want to make it legitimate, this act is clearly violated the ultimate law of the country, the constitution. Put lipstick on any pig, it still oinks.

The alarming trend of charging anyone under this act with uttering unpleasant things to certain people is uncalled for.

We have wide range of provisions to charge people with an array of crimes. Don’t be too lazy and too accommodating to certain people and their tissue hearts. They don’t deserve to be our leaders for that.

Anyway, what is seditious? Oh, don’t be so sensitive, Sir! – January 23, 2019.

* Amran Ariffin reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.