Use the Sedition Act against Dr M, says Nazri Aziz

The former law minister says Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent statements were an attempt to incite the public against the government.

PETALING JAYA: Nazri Aziz, a former law minister, has called for action to be taken against Dr Mahathir Mohamad under the Sedition Act over recent criticisms levelled against the government.

Nazri, a former Umno Supreme Council member, said Mahathir’s recent statements, such as alleging that the government had scuttled a public gathering, was an attempt to incite the public, Astro Awani reported.

He said the government need not be afraid about taking action against Mahathir, even though Mahathir is a former prime minister.

“During his time, anyone who wanted to organise a rally critical of the government would be branded as going against the government.

“During his time, they (detractors) would be arrested under the Internal Security Act. If you don’t believe me, ask Ibrahim Ali,” he was quoted as saying, referring to the Putra president, a party which Mahathir recently joined.

Ibrahim was detained twice under the act, which allowed for detention without trial. The law was abolished by the Najib Razak government in 2012.

Mahathir had also claimed that the government was afraid of listening to the Malays, and had acted on racial grounds by preventing a planned gathering on a “Malay proclamation” which was to feature Mahathir.

Nazri said Mahathir himself had prohibited racial gatherings during his 22-year stint as prime minister.

“I was part of his Cabinet. Maybe he forgot that when he headed the government such gatherings were banned.”

He said he was surprised by Mahathir’s sudden concern about the Malays, when he used to run the community down when the latter was in power.

“And now that he is no longer in power, he wants to show that he cares for the Malays. But Malays don’t want to believe him any longer,” said Nazri.