Civil rights group Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpat) noted that in July, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government would only apply the Act for provocative statements against the rulers.

However, since then, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, book editor Kean Wong and Wan Azri have been charged under theAct.

Madpat spokesman Charles Hector said he hoped the government would not abandon its promise, especially as the controversial “Dubai Move” had threatened a change of government.

“Fear of losing political power should never be a hindrance to repealing the Sedition Act and all other draconian laws and provisions in the legislation.

“People voted you in because of your values, principles and promises of reform, but when these are abandoned for fear of loss of political support, then Malaysians must reject such politicians and political parties,” Hector said in a statement.

Earlier today, Wan Azri, whose alter ego is believed to be Papagomo, pleaded not guilty in the sessions court to a charge of making a  seditious statement against the government.

His remark that the government was “pro-Israel and pro-Western nations” was allegedly made in a Facebook video on Nov 8, 2023.

Anwar had said in July the Sedition Act was used when the government was weak, pointing to how former prime minister Najib Razak failed to deliver on promises made in July 2012 to repeal the law.

Hector said that after the 13th general election, which saw a dip in Barisan Nasional’s performance, the government broke its promise, and continued to maintain and use the Sedition Act.

He said the same happened when Pakatan Harapan’s performance dropped in the 15th general election.

“Its assurance to repeal the draconian Sedition Act was again shelved,” he said.