KOTA KINABALU, Nov 27, 2014: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision to retain the Sedition Act is seen as threatening East Malaysian groups calling for secession.
Former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee however said Najib and the government’s threat, will not work as the people were no longer afraid to fight for their rights.
The Umno president, Yong said, must first understand why some people were calling for secession.
The Sabah Progressive Party president said Najib’s credibility has been affected by the retention of the Sedition Act.
Previous threats, Yong noted, have also come from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
“I believe there is no effect on the sentiments for Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) because the underlying issues and causes of secession are not being addressed,” he told The Rakyat Post.
SSKM is administered by a Sabahan, Doris Jones, who was dubbed as a disgruntled person.
He said so far, Sabah’s leaders tried to sweep the issues under the carpet or simply claim that secessionist feelings were only among very few people.
Personally, Yong however did not rule out the secession call.
“When people feel that there is no solution to their genuine grievances within the Malaysian context, then the sentiments of secession will surge.”
He urged for the Act to be abolished as its biased enforcement has already discredited that law.
Yong argued that even if the Sedition Act is used against other people in future, it would be perceived as political or biased, especially in view of the prevalent complaint that extremists like Datuk Ibrahim Ali was not charged.
Calls were made for the fiery Perkasa chief to be charged under the Act after he called for Bibles containing the word “Allah” to be burned.
Talks of secession from Malaysia have cropped up in East Malaysia over the seemingly unfair treatment by the federal government towards the two states.
It is said that more East Malaysians are signing a petition calling for Sabah and Sarawak to leave Malaysia despite the threat of being charged with sedition.
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