MALAYSIA has no plans to have lèse majesté laws as the existing laws are sufficient, said Muhyiddin Yassin.

“We have no plans for a special law for the monarchy like Thailand. Our laws are sufficient, although we are studying the need to strengthen the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA),” the home minister told Dewan Rakyat today.

There are already provisions in the Sedition Act and Penal Code to protect the monarchy against criticism and ridicule, he said.

“The cabinet will see if there is a need to amend the existing laws,” said Muhyiddin.

He was responding to Ramli Mohd Nor’s (Cameron Highlands-BN) question on whether Malaysia will have a lèse majesté law to protect the monarchy in light of attacks against the royal institution.

Earlier, Muhyiddin told the Dewan that 11 Malaysians have been charged with insulting the monarchy.

“Between 2012 and 2019, police investigated 97 cases of individuals insulting the monarchy on social media. Eleven have been charged.

“Among the steps taken to curb this problem is creating more public sensitivity campaigns against stirring racial, religious and anti-monarchy sentiments. The government is also looking at how to strengthen the CMA and set up more social media monitoring units at the district levels,” said Muhyiddin.

The Pagoh MP, however, said action would only be taken against the opposition for hurling anti-Malay and anti-Islam allegations against the government if it threatens public order.

“This is the new normal in Malaysian politics. But this government will only take action against them if it threatens the peace and harmony of society.”

He was responding to a supplementary question by Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH) on whether the government will act against the opposition for alleging that the government was anti-Malay and anti-Islam. – April 1, 2019.