Nazri: Sedition Act can be used to curb racist remarks

PARLIAMENT The Sedition Act can be used to deal with racist remarks, said Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz.

"The Sedition Act can be used to prevent unwanted incidents from happening.

"Statements which can incite the anger of any race in this country is an offence under the Sedition Act," Nazri told the House today.

The Sedition Act makes it an offence to promote ill-will among the races.

Critics however condemn the law as being draconian, and claim it is often used to silence dissent.

The minister said Malaysians did not want to go through another tragedy like the May 13, 1969 racial riots, and thus urged all to practice moderation and religious sensitivity.

Nazri was responding to a supplementary question from Anuar Manap (BN-Sekijang) on how the government can deal with fake social media accounts that are posting inflammatory messages to incite racial hatred.

On the matter of fake accounts, Nazri said the Communications and Multimedia Ministry is capable of handling it.

"I am a victim myself there are many (social media) accounts using my name, pretending to be me.

"I made a report with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry and they shut down the fake accounts," he said.- Mkini