Wong Chin Huat (Pic courtesy of Bersih)
BARELY a month after taking office, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration has wielded the Sedition Act — this time on academic and The Nut Graph columnist Wong Chin Huat. Few details have been released on the reasons and details of Wong’s arrest. As of today, he has been remanded for a day and is likely to be released this evening.
Malaysians are no stranger to the Sedition Act. Under Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration, from 2008 to 2009 alone, the Act was used against bloggers Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sheih Kickdefella, and DAP chairperson Karpal Singh. In the last days of Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s administration, online news portal Malaysiakini was also targeted under the Act.
It’s important to note that historically in the US, for example, sedition laws were used to stifle political dissent.
Of course, the Sedition Act in Malaysia has its own definition of what is a “seditious tendency“. But readers would know by now that Six Words On… is not about boring legalese. It’s about being creative, pithy, and fun. The aim is definition, not … ahem … sedition.
To start the ball rolling, here is what The Nut Graph team has churned out so far:
Cindy Tham:
A government that brooks no dissent.
The concept of sedition is undemocratic.
Gan Pei Ling:
Baffled Malaysians: “Why arrest democracy’s defender?”
Police: “He’s seditious. We said it.”
Rakyat’s eyes are crystal clear, tuan.
Black for Malaysia. Black for Wong.
Jacqueline Ann Surin:
Why resort to an archaic law?
An easy way to stifle dissent.
Police actions reflect poorly on BN.
Who is afraid of an academic?
Shanon Shah:
Arresting Wong won’t make it right.
Cannot *bleep* *bleep* *bleep* the monarchy.
Made in Britain. Worn in Malaysia.
Testing citizenship the Barisan Nasional way.
Seriously? Arrested? For promoting black apparel?
Zedeck Siew:
“I think—” “Seditious behaviour! Arrest him!”
Give us your take on sedition in the comments section below. 
See also Six Words On…
Chua Soi Lek
The Nut Graph is seditious … not!
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway‘s genius, the Six Words On… section challenges readers to give us their comments about a current issue, contemporary personality or significant event in just six words. The idea is to get readers engaged in an issue that The Nut Graph identifies, while having fun and being creatively disciplined.
Wong Chin Huat for the win!
Black Beauty has gone into hiding.
You’re guilty, I’m guilty, everybody’s guilty!
Last of the Mohicans – Hawkeye seditious!
Sedition arrest = 15 minutes fame.
Hello sedition, goodbye freedom of thought!
Watch out! I think she’s seditious!
Devils speechless before champions of truth.
Join me in the Black Parade!
Democracy in third world country – fail.
“Let’s wear blac-” “Sedition! Arrest him!”
“Altantu-” “Another seditious blogger! Arrest him!”
A black day for Malaysia indeed.
Sedition … humbug! Ketuanan rakyat! Malaysia boleh!
Black seditious? Lim Kok Wing, hide!
In 2009, two Wongs became targets.
Anagram for ‘sedition’: “Not I? Dies!”
Happy birthday to the murdered Mongolian.
Telling king he is naked? Brave.
1Malaysia + Sedition Act = fail!
As Buffy would say, over-reaction much?
Having a different opinion = sedition.
Lame excuse. Angry voters. Instant fame.
Sedition, as defined by the government.
To be safe, don’t mention black.
To be safer, don’t mention HRH.
To be safest, don’t mention demosntrations.
“Thursday, wear black” – seditious! Arrest him.
“Happy birthday Altantuya” – seditious! Arrest them.
“1BlackMalaysia, Democracy first, elections now” – seditious!
“1Malaysia, people first, performance now” – OK?
Seditious – a dish best served cold.
“Pa, why are the innocents punished?”
“Because the guilty are in power.”
Two Wongs don’t make it right.
Orange jumpsuits are the new black.
Seditious in black, who would’ve thought!
He had a goat one, aaah?
That’s for giving me a D.
Ben’s Bitches, Ben’s Bitches, Ben’s Bitches.
Ramones Rarities: I Wanna Be Seditious .
Let’s hang out at Paul’s Place.
Samy: dada sedition seperti valium, merbahaya!
The Panda Head Curry? are sexy.
ISA + Police Act = Guilty
Unclothed emperor: Peasants belong in dungeons!
Dark days are descending upon us.
Black forest cake on Black Thursday.
Speak no more, write no more!
1BlackMalaysia cannot outshine 1Malaysia, it’s illegal.
All comments are subject to sedition.
Some people are just soooooo paranoid.
Nobody should follow any arbitrary rule.
Johnny Cash: Walk the sedition line.
Democracy is a lame joke here.
Democracy in name, application not included.
Some are more equal than others.
Be white sheep, speak black lies.
Sedition? Be ‘friendly’, or shut up!
1Malaysia? Be ‘friendly’ or locked up.
Sedition it ain’t. Right or Wong?
Yellow cannot. Black cannot. Democracy? Cannot!
Cry sodomy no. Blackwell’s list yes.
I say. You say. No way.
Too much freedom threatens multiracial society.
Provoke and protest on Wong’s arrest.
An academic treated like a thug.
No accountability, no transparency, no loyalty.
I wonder what he has been teaching his students. The school should act immediately.
“Review ISA” means switch to “Sedition”;
And sedition means to “sedate dissension”
Attack of the Zambry Kampung Pisang.
Criticize autocratic government: PM, BN , Umnoputras.
Police state full proof, Black Malaysia
1Malaysia: where the crooks roam free.