Deputy home minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah told the Dewan Rakyat that the bill aims to safeguard national security from external and internal threats, including protecting the constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy and inter-religious harmony.

He was responding to Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching) who had asked if the government plans to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 or just amend it to apply issues concerning royal institutions, thus preventing its misuse in other matters.

Shamsul said the development of the National Security Bill follows a study by the home ministry, on whether to amend the Sedition Act to suit the current digital age or to introduce a new law to address 3R issues (religion, royalty, and race).

For now, Shamsul said, the Sedition Act will be retained to maintain public order and national security.

“The government always upholds freedom of expression, but it must be within the established rules and guidelines to ensure that it does not cross the limits,” he said.

He added that the home ministry will continue to update the list of entities classified as terrorist organisations, such as Abu Sayyaf and those claiming to be heirs of the Sulu sultanate.

He explained that listing these groups would enable authorities to freeze their financial activities, which helps prevent them from carrying out terrorist activities, including kidnapping and robbery.

Shamsul further assured that security along Sabah’s east coast remains stable, thanks to the presence of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

He said this in response to Siti Aminah Aching (BN-Beaufort), who asked about efforts to curb kidnapping and robbery activities in the waters off the east coast of Sabah.