Akta Hasutan 1948 (Akta 15) [Hingga 25hb April 2022]

The Akta Hasutan 1948 (Akta 15) was a Malaysian law that regulated the dissemination of seditious material in the country. The law was in force from 1948 until it was repealed on 10 March 2021.

The law defined sedition as any act or speech that aimed to bring hatred or contempt against the government or any group of people based on their race, religion, or nationality. Under the law, anyone found guilty of sedition could be sentenced to up to three years in prison, fined, or both.

The law also gave broad powers to the government to arrest and detain individuals suspected of sedition without a warrant. It also allowed the government to ban any publication or newspaper that was deemed to be seditious.

Over the years, the law had been criticized for being vague and overly broad, leading to a chilling effect on free speech and expression in the country. Many activists, journalists, and politicians were arrested and charged under the law, leading to calls for its repeal.

In 2012, the Malaysian government announced that it would review the law and consider repealing it. However, it was not until 2019 that the government finally introduced a bill to repeal the law. The bill was passed in Parliament in March 2021 and came into force on 10 March 2021.

The repeal of the law has been widely welcomed by civil society groups, journalists, and politicians who had long called for its abolition. The repeal is seen as a significant step forward for freedom of expression and human rights in Malaysia.