Although the Sedition Act is to be abolished to make way for the new Harmony Bill, UMNO Youth insists that the current law’s provisions protecting the special rights of Malay Malaysians should be carried over into the new legislation.
UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said the youth wing will “not compromise nor negotiate” over the status of Islam as the federal religion, the special position of the Malay Rulers, the special status of Bumiputras and the position of the Malay language under the proposed Harmony Bill which will set up the law replacing the Sedition Act.
“Also, any hate speeches directed at any race or ethnic group should be taken as an offence,” he told reporters after chairing the monthly Umno Youth executive council meeting here yesterday.
“Where sensitive matters are concerned, they are non-negotiable,” said Khairy, as reported by Martin Carvalho of The Star Online.
Khairy added that UMNO Youth would deliberate further to “fine tune” the final draft of its memorandum before submitting it to the Government.
When asked if UMNO Youth would also include a demand for the protection of gender minority groups, a portion of the much-maligned LGBT community, Khairy said that it was a sensitive issue, but it woud be considered during the youth wing’s deliberations.
“We will see how to word it,” he added.
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