THE decision on whether the Sedition Act 1948 is repealed or amended will be made soon, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong.

He said the government is reviewing the act with the intention of abolishing it.

“The government has decided that if anybody is investigated under the Sedition Act, the government will issue a directive to police not to use the act,” the de facto law minister said during question time in Parliament today.

He was replying to an additional question by Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) on the government’s commitment to repeal the act.

To the original question by Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang), on whether Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad agrees with the detention of those who criticise him, Liew said Putrajaya’s stance is that politicians should accept constructive criticism.

“The freedom to criticise, however, does not mean that anyone can issue statements for the purpose of defaming a person. Defamation is an offence under the law.” – Bernama, March 19, 2019.