{
  "id": 4347807,
  "title": "Semak semua undang-undang era penjajah, pra-Merdeka, kata Ramkarpal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/semak-semua-undang-undang-era-penjajah-pra-merdeka-kata-ramkarpal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T04:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/08/30/semak-semua-undang-undang-era-penjajah-pra-merdeka-kata-ramkarpal"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pengerusi DAP's Law Bureau, Ramkarpal Singh, has urged the government to thoroughly review all laws from the colonial and pre-Merdeka eras to ensure they align with the long-term agenda of Pakatan Harapan. The former deputy minister cited the 1948 Race Relations Act as an example of a restrictive law from the British colonial era that has long been criticized for limiting free speech. He also called for a review of other pre-Merdeka laws, including the Declaration of Rights Act, the Internal Security Regulations, and the Civil Law Act of 1956.\n\nAccording to Singh, outdated laws need to be either repealed or replaced to reflect the current reality and developments, such as artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister's statement suggests that a comprehensive review of all colonial or pre-Merdeka laws may eventually be necessary to eliminate limitations on freedom and fully realize the meaning of independence. This includes ensuring that students' freedom is not restricted by colonial-era laws.\n\nSingh explained that colonial powers required the Race Relations Act to suppress opposition, as it served their interests to maintain control over the colonies. He further emphasized that the current government has a unique opportunity, nearly seven decades after independence, to repeal or amend such laws as part of the long-term reform agenda of Pakatan Harapan. Such a review should receive bipartisan support as it serves the national interest and adds greater significance to the nation's independence. While the Federal Court can strike down or amend pre-Merdeka laws that conflict with the Constitution, such action can only occur when a case is brought before the court. Without this challenge, the laws will continue to be in force until amended or repealed by Parliament.",
  "summary": "Bekas timbalan menteri undang-undang itu berkata peruntukan lapuk perlu dimansuh atau digantikan bagi mencerminkan realiti semasa.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Semak semua undang-undang era penjajah, pra-Merdeka, kata Ramkarpal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/semak-semua-undang-undang-era-penjajah-pra-merdeka-kata-ramkarpal-4352481",
        "published": "2026-08-30T04:18:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}