Malaysia to repeal sedition law ahead of polls

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian leader Najib Razak has announced plans to repeal a colonial-era law curbing free speech in the latest political reform ahead of general elections.

Najib said late Wednesday that the Sedition Act represented a "bygone era" and will be replaced with a new law to prevent incitement of religious or racial hatred. It will be the latest repressive law to be annulled as part of Najib's pledge to protect civil liberties. Opposition leaders claim the reforms are a ploy to gain public support ahead of polls that must be called next year.

Human Rights Watch says Najib's law reform efforts have not improved, and in some cases have worsened, Malaysia's human rights record.