Malaysia repeals colonial-era free speech law (used for years to stifle dissent)
Malaysia's prime minister has announced plans to repeal a colonial-era law that has been used over the years to crack down on dissent and the opposition.
Najib Razak announced the move late on Wednesday amid growing public demand for public and social reforms ahead of an election due by early next year. "The Sedition Act represents a bygone era in our country and with today's announcement we mark another step forward in Malaysia's development," Najib said in a speech on Wednesday night.
Najib has rolled back several colonial-era security laws since last year, hailing it as the biggest shake-up of the Malaysian political system since independence from Britain.
A draconian security law allowing detention without trial was scrapped earlier this year and eased public assembly rules, although critics said the reforms were a sham as the laws were replaced with legislation that is just as repressive.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/07/201271254440475955.html
Good news on the human rights front.
