Perikatan equally bent on curbing freedom of expression, says civil society
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RECENT police investigations into government critics and those who allegedly insulted the monarchy have alarmed civil society groups, which said Putrajaya is showing its close-mindedness towards public opinion.
A strong and thriving democracy relies heavily on the realisation of fundamental human rights and liberties, specifically the freedom of speech and expression, they said.
“The right to freedom of expression has dramatically diminished. The space to voice opinions under the Perikatan Nasional government is decreasing fast,” said Nalini Elumalai, Article 19 Malaysia programme officer.
Article 19, a global human rights organisation, urged Putrajaya to retract investigations under repressive laws and safeguard the freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 10(a) of the constitution.
“There are a number of problematic laws that have been continuously used to silence critics throughout different administrations.
“Perikatan Nasional is no different but has added additional restrictions on insults towards government officials under the administration.”
Nalini said the public as taxpayers, have the right to comment, question and criticise public officials to hold them accountable for their actions.
Mahasiswa Keadilan Malaysia vice-president Dharshinee Suresh Kumar said: “The process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about other’s work usually involves both positive and negative comments.
“If criticism towards the government is unacceptable, I believe there will be no check-and-balance situation.”
Dharshinee cited investigations against Umno’s Lokman Noor Adam who was arrested on Sunday for allegedly threatening Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in a video he posted on Facebook.
Lokman said Muhyiddin was unhappy with the king’s decision to reject his proposal to declare a state of emergency.
Dharshinee said if police acted against someone like Lokman, who is part of the ruling coalition, ordinary citizens are far more vulnerable.
“What are the chances of the rakyat?”
Lokman, who has been released on police bail, is being investigated for criminal intimidation, misusing networking facilities and unruly behaviour.
Others under investigation are Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa as well as Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad who both remarked on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision earlier this year to appoint Muhyiddin as prime minister.
They asked why their remarks made in speeches in March are only now being investigated.
Recently, DAP assemblyman Ronnie Liu was also called in to give police a statement over his Facebook post about anti-government and anti-monarchy protests in Thailand.
His post allegedly inferred seditious sentiments against Malaysia’s king, even though the topic concerned involved Thailand.
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has called into question the ongoing attacks, urging the police to show what is deemed seditious or offensive in the remarks or posts and to justify the need for a criminal probe.
“We demand that Bukit Aman demonstrate whether their actions are proportionate, necessary and legal.
“In what circumstances does it meet the threshold that would justify a criminal probe,” said Wathshlah G. Naidu, CIJ executive director.
CIJ said the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act are arbitrary laws that can be easily abused to silence dissent.
“Often, arrests under the mentioned acts do not meet the threshold of threat to public order or national security,” it said, urging the government to stop investigations into cases of this nature.
“Institute a moratorium on the use of repressive laws, such as the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the CMA, until they are repealed or amended.
“Commit to a clear timeline and related plan of action towards the ratification of international human rights treaties, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).” – November 6, 2020.