Malaysia summons U.S. ambassador over Sedition Act comment

Malaysia summoned U.S. ambassador to Malaysia on Wednesday to explain the United States' position on Malaysia's decision to retain the Sedition Act 1948, according to local reports on Thursday.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said in a statement that Malaysia regrets the comments made by U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y. Yun on the latest developments relating to the Malaysian government's decision.

The envoy said in an interview with an online news portal that the United States was "puzzled" over Malaysia's decision to retain the Sedition Act. Earlier U.S. Vice President Joe Biden also criticized Malaysian government's decision on his tweet account.

Anifah said that the Sedition Act 1948 does not hinder a vibrant democracy. "The act is a preventive measure to ensure that no parties would incite religious and racial tension that could jeopardize peace and stability in the country," he said.

Anifah said that the decision relating to the Sedition Act 1948 is a prerogative of the government. "Despite the interest of external parties on the subject, any decisions of the government on the act are an internal matter and any unwarranted comments on the decisions of the government would be regarded as interference in the country's internal affairs," he said.

Malaysia remains committed to maintaining peace, stability and harmony in the country and safeguarding the multiracial and multicultural values, norms and practices in Malaysia, he said. Enditem