KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 22 -- DAP MP Ramkarpal Singh has called on the government to explain why the Sedition Act 1948 is still being used despite previous commitments to review or amend the colonial-era law.

In a statement today, the Bukit Gelugor MP said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's written reply in Parliament - that the Act would be used "as long as it is still in force" - does not fully address concerns about its continued application.

Saifuddin had said the law would only be used "sparingly" and in matters involving the Royal Institution or national sovereignty. Ramkarpal questioned how this position aligned with recent cases.

"This begs the question why former Free Malaysia Today journalist Rex Tan was recently...