Chapter 3 - Report of the Research and Policy Development Group The Commission hopes that the Government will now consider reviewing Sections 15D(1), 16C(2) and 16B(3B). The Commission is confident that the Government will take into consideration all human rights aspects and standards when amending the UUCA, to ascertain its relevance in the context of developing human capital to face global challenges. (e) Annulment of Proclamations of Emergency The three remaining proclamations of Emergency – issued by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 1966, 1969 and 1977 respectively – were annulled by Parliament at the end of 2011. As a result, all laws promulgated under the Proclamations ceased to have effect six months from the date of annulment. These included the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 1969 and Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969, which violated basic human rights principles as they allowed for detention without trial. (f) Proposed Repeal of the Sedition Act 1948 and Enactment of the National Harmony Act The Commission welcomes the proposed repeal of the Sedition Act 1948, one of the many laws which it has urged the Government to abolish. It is hoped that this will enable greater enjoyment of the basic human right to freedom of speech. The Commission also lauds the proposed replacement law, the National Harmony Act, and notes the intention to provide a balance between guaranteeing freedom of speech to every citizen and the need to handle the complexity of plurality in Malaysian society. It hopes that the Act will be drafted in a transparent manner in consultation with stakeholders. On this note, the Commission looks forward to engaging the Attorney-General’s Chambers and other stakeholders, including civil society groups, in the drafting of the new law to address particular concerns and to ensure that the provisions are consistent with universally accepted human rights principles. The Commission looks forward to engaging the Attorney-General’s Chambers and other stakeholders, including civil society groups, in the drafting of the new law to address particular concerns and to ensure that the provisions are consistent with universally accepted human rights principles. 6. DEATH PENALTY The Commission continues to call for abolition of the death penalty and reaffirms its stance that such punishment is cruel, inhuman and degrading. It has repeatedly called upon the Government to consider a moratorium on the death penalty or commuting this form of punishment to life imprisonment, especially for those who have been on death row for more than five years. 84