Muhyiddin: Mandatory death sentence, Sedition Act, several others may be abolished

PUTRAJAYA: The mandatory death sentence, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA), Sedition Act 1948, and several other controversial acts may be abolished in the near future, according to Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In his first press conference since being appointed as minister, Muhyiddin said the ministry would study and review the acts, as one of several matters that would be given attention under the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
"We want to abolish acts that are not suitable with today's landscape, like the PPPA, Sedition Act, Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) 1959 and mandatory death sentence. We will review them.
"We will also look at provisions like the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, and Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota). If needed, we will restudy them," he said, here, today.
Muhyiddin said the ministry would obtain feedback from the relevant quarters, including the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and NGOs, before any decisions are made.
"If it is for the good of the nation, we will discuss it. That is why engagements must be held before any decisions are made. What's important is the country's welfare," he said.
While he did not provide a specific timeline on when the reviews to the acts could be expected, Muhyiddin said they would be done soonest possible, but pointed out that it might take some time.
"These matters need some time. I agree that we can't delay them, I will set a timeline. It can't be dragging on until the next elections or over the years," he said.