Three drafts of National Harmony Bill with Nancy

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri today confirmed she had received three preliminary drafts on the National Harmony Bill which is set to replace the Sedition Act 1948, but these had not yet been brought to the Cabinet.
She said the three drafts from the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) must first be studied and fine-tuned to ensure they are in line with the Federal Constitution and not in conflict with other elements like religion, culture, government policies and the rights of the rulers.
"I have received three drafts of the proposed bill, but it does not mean the government will straight away accept them or that the Cabinet has already agreed.
"It's a new bill ... not amendments. A new bill will take a long time (to be finalised). This is because it must be in tune with the Federal Constitution and we will also not disregard the privileges of the rulers under the constitution," she told a press conference at Parliament building.
Earlier, in her written reply to Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim (BN-Kuala Selangor), Nancy said the Sedition Act 1948 is still effective as long as it is not replaced.
She said until now, the government has not decided when exactly the Sedition Act would be repealed as the new act is still being studied from all aspects. – Bernama