THE Sedition Act 1948 will not only be maintained but also strengthened, with at least two more provisions, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced yesterday.
The first will be a special provision to protect the sanctity of Islam and other religions practised in the country, and the second, to prosecute those attempting to call for the secession of Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia.
“I have listened to all the views and opinions. I have also consulted my deputy (Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin), the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings and resolutions from the divisions as well as the uneasiness voiced on the ground, including from non-governmental organisations.
“As prime minister, I have decided to retain the Sedition Act 1948 and strengthen it with at least two provisions,” the Umno president told the 2,752 delegates, Barisan Nasional component party leaders, observers and foreign dignitaries at the Putra World Trade Centre’s Dewan Merdeka during the Umno General Assembly yesterday.
Present were former Umno presidents and prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“This means that whatever words, actions or speeches deemed seditious in nature and insulting to Islam, Malays and the royal institution will be stopped and we will fight it until our last breath,” Najib said.
Before making the announcement, he interjected his policy speech with a short video presentation of recent riots in the country, seditious postings by bloggers, including Alvin Tan’s bah kut teh greeting and a speech by social activist Hishammudin Rais, which silenced the floor.
The delegates, however, roared with approval and gave Najib a standing ovation after he announced that the Sedition Act would be maintained.
Delivered in one hour and 15 minutes, Najib showed energy throughout his speech, clenching his fist when driving home important messages and invigorating the crowd, which erupted in thunderous applause at his every mention of the word “solidarity”.
Najib also acknowledged the implementation of Umno’s online registration channel, which will be supervised by the Umno headquarters and is aimed at drawing more youths to the party.
“People have been talking about rejuvenating Umno. We also heard about youths who wanted to join Umno but lamented about being rejected by those who have been in the party for so long.
“They are Umno’s future torchbearers. This is the generation who will inherit Umno’s struggle. We want to heave a sigh of relief when the party is handed to them. They will be known as JIL-Umno, which means the future leadership of the party.”
He said the first criteria of a JIL-Umno would be those who were knowledgeable, skilful and able to apply what they have learned.
The second, he said, was that a JIL-Umno must be a person of integrity and high self-worth, not an extremist or too liberal to the extent that they could turn their backs on Islamic values.
“The final criteria for a JIL-Umno is that they must have a “glokal” (global and local) outlook. Even if they have furthered their education at Azhar University, Medina, Harvard, Oxford or Cambridge, they must not detach themselves from Eastern values, Malay customs and the country’s other noble values.
“Therefore, is it our duty and moral responsibility to guide, train and educate the younger generation and provide a place for them based on their ability, character and acceptance from society or related organisation.”
Najib said although Umno was 68 years old, or nearly 25,000 days old, rejuvenating the party meant ensuring that the spirit of its struggle continued to burn as bright as it did on the first day of its inception.
“In fact, everything must be rejuvenated, including how the party uses technology and applies strategy and approaches creatively and with innovation.”
However, he said the process of rejuvenating Umno had never really stopped as the party was represented by three generations — those aged 50 and above, representing the first generation; those aged between 30 and 50, forming the second generation; and, those aged 30 and below, who are the third generation.
“What is important is the future of the party where all the three generations work together. More importantly, the third generation must be expanded and strengthened,” he said.
On Wanita, he said efforts would continue to be made to uplift and recognise their contributions and not just as the backbone of the party .
“In this matter, we will discuss and consider the creation of a Wanita vice chief positions at the divisional and national levels.
“I know there will be resistance. What is important is that as a brotherly party, we will have discussions and consider all factors so it will be a collective decision to honour Wanita’s contributions to Umno after 66 years,” he said.
Similarly, he said discussions would be made to look into the request by the Youth and Puteri wings who wanted more of those aged 40 years and below to be given positions in the party.
Najib, in his speech, also repeatedly stressed on the need for solidarity among Umno members.
He said should the 70 per cent of Malays and Bumiputeras who made up the 28 million people in the country come under the Umno and Barisan Nasional umbrella, the party would be strong and unbeatable in the next general election.
“In fact, we can also be proud for being able to achieve the status of high income and advanced economy in the spirit of solidarity that cannot be broken,” he said.
He reminded delegates that because of ignorance in defending Umno accordingly, the polical reality especially more than 15 years ago almost changed.
“From what we have experienced and how true were the words of wise men who said that ‘for evil to triumph, good men do nothing’,” he said, adding that although the party was right but doing nothing had enabled the enemy to run riot and cause havoc.
“It’s a pity. Many Malays and Bumiputeras, especially, and Malaysians in general were misled by the sincerity of Umno’s struggle.
“I want to stress that Umno members must not be apologetic or feel shy when they were ridiculed by people who accused the party as irrelevant.
“The fact is that assemblies like this that resolutions were raised that enabled ministries to formulate strategies to help the Malays and Bumiputeras. It is also on this platform that UiTM was formed.
“Similarly, this is also where the fate of more than 1.5 million civil servants rest, the dignity of the royal institution is upheld, the sanctity of Islam is protected and what is more important, this is where the Malays find shelter to gaze at the future of their children.
“So, whose effort was it that all these were achieved? It is none other than this party (Umno),” he said.
As president of Umno, Najib said, he wanted to see a brighter future for the Malays and Bumiputeras and would not allow them live in poverty, insulted and victimised in their homeland.
As such, he said he would remain committed in the struggle to fight for the well-being of the Malays and Bumiputeras.
“It is not mere lip service but it is my commitment and the commitment of my friends in the party and the Government. We will do our best to prove it,” he said, adding that he and other leaders in the government would meet every month to look at ways to empower Malays and Bumiputeras.