KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 ― The US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur urged today Putrajaya to be transparent and apolitical in applying the rule of law in order to promote confidence in Malaysia's democracy, judiciary and economy,

The US Embassy said US officials are concerned about the government's use of sedition laws and human rights within the country.

“The United States remains concerned with the Malaysian government’s use of sedition laws,” the statement said today.

The US Embassy joined other diplomats yesterday to observe the march by the Malaysian Bar Council that called for the repeal of the Sedition Act.

“We recognise the peaceful nature of this protest reflected efforts of the Bar Council and Malaysian authorities.”

“We welcomed Prime Minister Najib’s announcement in 2012 of his intention to repeal the Sedition Act and encourage the government to follow through on that commitment,” the statement said.