logo
I shouldn't have cited use of Sedition Act against Akmal, says Ramkarpal

I shouldn't have cited use of Sedition Act against Akmal, says Ramkarpal

Daily Express3 days ago
Published on: Friday, August 15, 2025
Published on: Fri, Aug 15, 2025
By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh asked for Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to be investigated for intentional insult with intent to provoke a beach of the peace, and public mischief under the Penal Code. PETALING JAYA: Former deputy law minister Ramkarpal Singh has regretted asking for Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to be investigated for sedition over his remarks on the upside down flag issue in Penang. Ramkarpal, the Bukit Gelugor MP, said he remains against the use of the Sedition Act 1948 and wanted it to be repealed. In a statement today, he said he has 'always been, and still am, of the view that the Sedition Act ought to be repealed due to its draconian nature in line with the government's commitment to reform'. Ramkarpal had on Wednesday called for Akmal to be probed under the Sedition Act, saying the Umno Youth chief had issued several 'extreme and unacceptable' statements that were divisive, contained racial undertones, and had the potential to threaten public order. He also asked for Akmal to be investigated under the Penal Code for criminal intimidation, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and statements conducing to public mischief. Ramkarpal said since there had been many police reports on the case, such investigations should begin right away, in the public interest. 'I am of the view that there are sufficient grounds to commence such investigations,' he said. Earlier today, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook ordered his party's youth wings to lodge police reports against Akmal over a rally held outside a hardware store in Kepala Batas yesterday. Loke called it a form of bullying and an action against police orders. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mention of inquest today
Mention of inquest today

Daily Express

time30 minutes ago

  • Daily Express

Mention of inquest today

Published on: Monday, August 18, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 18, 2025 Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: Mention of the inquest into the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina will be held at the Magistrate's Court here at 9am today (Monday). Counsel Hamid Ismail, representing the victim's mother, Noraidah Lamat, 45, confirmed the matter saying they had been notified by the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). The AGC, in a statement last Wednesday, said an inquest would be conducted into Zara Qairina's death after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the Royal Malaysia Police. Zara Qairina was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at about 4am. The inquest will focus on establishing the cause and circumstances of Zara Qairina's death, including whether any criminal elements were involved. It will be conducted under subsection 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593), ensuring the process is carried out independently and transparently. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Concern on Sabah tourist safety
Concern on Sabah tourist safety

Daily Express

time30 minutes ago

  • Daily Express

Concern on Sabah tourist safety

Published on: Monday, August 18, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 18, 2025 Text Size: Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said immediate reforms are needed to safeguard tourist safety in Sabah. — Bernama pic SIBU: Immediate reforms are needed to safeguard tourist safety in Sabah, said Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. He advised Sabah authorities to step up the necessary actions to enhance the state's tourism image. 'Following a two-day joint sea and land enforcement operation, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture held a meeting with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and relevant enforcement agencies to address tourism safety issues, illegal operations and enforcement in Sabah. 'In that meeting, I raised several serious weaknesses regarding tourism safety in Sabah, where the safety of tourists is seen as insufficiently protected,' he said in a statement. According to him, statistics showed between 2023 and July 2025, Sabah recorded several tourism-related accidents that caused multiple deaths and injuries. 'In 2023 alone, there were 14 incidents resulting in six deaths and nine injuries; in 2024, 11 incidents with nine deaths and 28 injuries; while in 2025, up to July, there were 23 incidents with two deaths and two injuries. 'These frequent accidents highlight weak safety management and regulatory oversight, which undermine travellers' confidence and damage Sabah's international tourism reputation,' he said. Tiong said during the two-day operation, he personally led officers from the Tourism Licensing and Enforcement Division and Immigration Department, police and other agencies on inspections around Tawau. He said the operation revealed widespread illegal practices, including overloaded tour buses without tour guides; foreigners renting local licences and operating behind the scenes; foreign divers working illegally; non-tourism vehicles carrying passengers; and boats operating with approval. Other issues included alleged corruption in the Immigration Department, lax monitoring of resorts and homestays without insurance protection and unauthorised fee collection on certain islands. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Police seek help from TikTok over fake claim
Police seek help from TikTok over fake claim

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

Police seek help from TikTok over fake claim

KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities are seeking information from TikTok in connection with a user who claimed to be a surgeon involved in the autopsy of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) are jointly investigating the matter. 'We are waiting for TikTok to provide information to support the investigation. I leave it to the police and MCMC to obtain the details and take appropriate legal action.' Fahmi earlier attended an arts and culture promotion programme at the People's Housing Project in Kerinchi. The issue came to light after an individual posted online that he had attended the student's autopsy. Fahmi had earlier stated that the TikTok account during a livestream alleged the user was present at the post-mortem on Aug 10. However, the Health Ministry verified that he was neither a specialist nor a ministry staff member. Authorities are also investigating the account '@berjuanguntukzara' for disseminating inaccurate information, including conspiracy theories and bullying-related content. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar said the case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. Zara Qairina was found unconscious after reportedly falling from the third floor of her school hostel in Papar on July 16 and died the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store