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The definition of 'sedition' under the Sedition Act 1948 may be reviewed in order to clear up any confusion or ambiguity over the term, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
He said the act was not aimed at stifling dissent or criticism of the government but at protecting national peace and harmony.
"For example, there is a difference between criticising the government's economic policies and calling for the government to be overthrown.
"To me, there's nothing wrong with disagreeing with any of the government's decisions and policies, but we should not incite the people to cause chaos," he said after the presidential speech delivered by Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Umno General Assembly 2014.
Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, said the government will seek feedback from various parties on the planned amendments.
"We realise there are those who have called for the act to abolished, claiming that the law was draconian or obsolete.
"We must engage with them, and hopefully make them see that one of the outcomes of this law has been the peace and harmony that we have enjoyed since it was passed in 1948."
The amendments, he said, could be passed as early as next year, pending a review.
He also said there may no longer be a need for the National Harmony Act, which was originally planned to replace the Sedition Act.
"Both laws are aimed at promoting peace, so this is something that we will need to study further."
