Tag: race

3R: Improve the legal system to face the challenges of social media – SekPur

KUALA LUMPUR: The country's legal framework relating to issues of religion, race and royal institutions (3Rs) requires more dynamic improvements to address the increasingly complex trend of social media abuse. Head of the Political Bureau of the People's Social Media Movement Secretariat (SekPur), Shahbudin Embon, said the existing approach needed to be refined to ensure that the justice system was not only punitive, but also capable of providing meaningful lessons to society. He said the provisions under the Sedition Act 1948 with a maximum fine of RM5,000 currently appear to be out of line with the impact of damage that can be caused by posts that go viral on social media. "This step to strengthen the law, including considering mandatory prison sentences for serious cases involving the sovereignty of the monarchy, is necessary to reflect the importance of preserving national harmony," he said at a press conference here yesterday. Shahbudin suggested that the scope of legal protection be reviewed to also include the country's main leadership institutions, including the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to curb the culture of excessive provocation solely for the sake of digital content. He also suggested closer cooperation between the authorities and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in monitoring the activities of fake accounts which are often the cause of racial and religious tension. "Taking lessons from legal practices in neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia, the strictness of the law there has proven to be an important instrument in preserving the dignity of the highest institutions of their respective countries," he said. Based on existing legal provisions, individuals convicted of incitement through speech or publication for the first time can be sentenced to a maximum fine of RM5,000, and imprisonment for up to three years, or both. The provision includes actions through various platforms as an effort to curb incitement elements that threaten public order. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s legal framework relating to issues of religion, race and royal institutions (3Rs) requires more dynamic improvements to address the increasingly complex trend of social media abuse. Head of the Political Bureau of the People’s Social Media Movement Secretariat (SekPur), Shahbudin Embon, said the existing approach needed to be refined to ensure […]