Vince Tan, a lawyer for the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR), proposed the repeal as part of the NGO’s objective for a draft model law, alongside amending the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Penal Code.

“We want to repeal draconian and oppressive laws as promised in Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) manifesto,” Tan told the National Expert Consultation on freedom of expression and hate speech here today.

During last year’s polls, PH made 60 promises in its manifesto to be fulfilled during its five-year administration.

One of the promises was to abolish oppressive laws that PH said were “frequently abused by Umno and Barisan Nasional leaders to achieve their political interests”.

These laws included the Sedition Act 1948, Prevention of Crime Act 1959, Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984, National Security Council Act 2016 and mandatory death by hanging in all acts.

Besides the repeals, Tan said MCCHR wanted a judicial review of freedom of speech and expression under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution in order to align it with international standards, with guidance from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

“Of course, the UDHR is just a declaration with no binding effect. To make these laws effective, we have to seek guidance from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Article 10 is one of the most important fundamental liberties under the Federal Constitution, providing us the power and voice to defend our other fundamental human rights,” Tan added.

Article 10 of the constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.

But, it has been said to be ineffective due to the enactment of laws such as the Sedition Act 1948 and Communications and Multimedia Act 1988, which prosecute citizens on the basis of sedition or defamation.