SHAH ALAM, 24 Sept: The International Human Rights Association, Amnesty International, wants the government to drop the investigation under the Sedition Act 1948 against the PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Region, Rupert Abbott, said that the investigation is persecution and politically motivated.
“Anwar has been a favourite target of the authorities for more than a decade, and this appears to be the latest attempt to silence and harass a critical voice,” Abbott added.
According to Amnesty, at least 15 people, including activists, members of opposition parties, journalists, students and academics are currently facing charges under the Sedition Act and can be fined or jailed.
He added that in the past few months, the authorities have increased the use of the Sedition Act which is a colonial era law by targeting individuals who criticise the government.
“The Sedition Act is an outdated and repressive law where the authorities target those who oppose those in power. It must be repealed immediately,” he said.
Previously, the police from the Ampang District Headquarters reportedly will take a statement from Anwar under Section 4 of the Sedition Act this Friday on his talk at a gathering in March 2011.
NS
