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Ramkarpal, the Bukit Gelugor MP, said he remains against the use of the Sedition Act 1948 and wanted it to be repealed.
In a statement today, he said he has “always been, and still am, of the view that the Sedition Act ought to be repealed due to its draconian nature in line with the government’s commitment to reform”.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.
