Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH), a coalition promoting the abolition of the act, today said it was disappointed with the authorities’ move in initiating sedition-related action against the daily.
“GHAH does not see any need for the police to launch a criminal investigation against The Star because the newspaper has already apologised,” its coordinator Amir Abd Hadi said in a statement.
He said the home ministry should instead investigate the matter under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
On its front page last Saturday, the daily had carried the headline “Malaysian terrorist leader” for its lead report on Malaysians involved in the current militant insurgency in Mindanao, above an unrelated picture of a gathering of Muslims praying in a mosque in conjunction with Ramadan.
Several politicians and NGOs criticised the layout as casting a bad light on Muslims during the holy month.
The home ministry yesterday issued The Star a show-cause letter, giving the daily seven days to explain why action should not be taken against it under the Printing Presses and Publications Act.
In a statement, it said the layout could lead to confusion among members of the public, give rise to misunderstandings, and cause prejudice towards Muslims.
“It has also indirectly mocked the religion of Islam.
“The press is responsible for ensuring that the unity and harmony of the multiracial and multi-religious society is always protected.”
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the newspaper was being investigated for sedition.
The Star issued an apology on Sunday, saying that on hindsight it should have been more sensitive towards the feelings of its Muslim readers.
Amir described the Sedition Act, which was introduced by the former British colonial administration, as a piece of obsolete legislation that was not drafted by the nation’s post-independence Parliament.
“We repeat our demand and remind the government, especially Prime Minister Najib Razak, to fulfil the promise he had made in 2012 to repeal this draconian act,” he said.