Even in the west you don’t have 100% freedom of expression
No, there is no 100% freedom of expression anywhere in the world, even in the more advanced west. And the Federal Constitution of Malaysia says there are certain things you can do and certain things you cannot do. And if you do not like that, then amend the Constitution. But first go win a “strong, convincing, formidable” two-thirds majority in Parliament. Until then, shut the fook up.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
The article (READ BELOW) published by Malaysiakini is typical of Malaysiakini. It is all about what the government is doing is wrong and that there is no democracy, civil liberties, freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom to leave Islam, freedom to have sex and children outside marriage, freedom to have gay relationships, freedom for Muslims to drink and gamble, etc.
Anyway, semua dalam Malaysia tak betul dan semua tak kena. Singapore is better. Thailand is better. Indonesia is better. Philippines is better. Laos is better. Burma is better. Vietnam is better. In fact, China is even better.
Try insulting the Thai King and Queen and see what will happen to you
These bleeding hearts “Kluster Malaysiakini” complain that the government does not respect the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. And then, when the government follows the Constitution, these same people scream that there is no democracy and civil liberties in Malaysia.
What is wrong with these “Kluster Malaysiakini” people? They seem to want TWO Federal Constitutions of Malaysia, one for the government supporters and another for the anti-government supporters. Do they want a type of China’s one-county-two-policies system?
Why not we do this? Why not those anti-government people redraft the Federal Constitution of Malaysia to what they would like it to be and present it to the voters with the promise that, if they ever get to win the general election with a two-thirds majority, they will amend the Constitution according to that draft they are presenting?
Okay or not? Boleh buat tak? Then we will know which part of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia they are not happy with and which they will amend if they get to win the general election with a two-thirds majority.
Now, very confusing lah. On the one hand they say follow the Constitution and on the other hand they complain when the government follows the Constitution.
In the “advanced” west they arrest you for shouting “Allah Akhbar”
I mean, which part of “it is a crime to insult Islam, the Raja-Raja Melayu, the Qur’an, Prophet Muhammad, etc.,” do they not understand? And which part of “it is a crime to upset the racial and religious sensitivities” of Malaysians do they also not understand?
Were the May 13 race riots of 1969 (plus some other smaller racial skirmishes before and after that) not because there was no control over so-called freedom of expression? If the anti-government non-Malays had not gone all over town insulting the Malays, there would not have been any May 13 (or at least no “trigger” to start May 13).
Surely the May 13 race riots of 1969 has taught us there cannot be 100% total freedom of expression. No country in the world allows 100% freedom of expression.
In Thailand, you cannot have tattoos of Buddha on your body even if it is an expression of support and belief in Buddha (there is a signboard warning you of this at the immigration counter). In Germany, you cannot display a Nazi Swastika or express support for the Holocaust. In the UK, you cannot say nasty things about non-whites even if they started the argument first. In America you cannot shout “Allah Akhbar” in a public place even if that is an expression of love for Allah (which you can do in Malaysia).
No, there is no 100% freedom of expression anywhere in the world, even in the more advanced west. And the Federal Constitution of Malaysia says there are certain things you can do and certain things you cannot do. And if you do not like that, then amend the Constitution. But first go win a “strong, convincing, formidable” two-thirds majority in Parliament. Until then, shut the fook up.
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Troubling cases of the govt criminalising speech
(Malaysiakini) – With GE15 on the horizon, there is a grave risk that arrests will continue to rise.
Respect for freedom of speech in Malaysia is in free fall – a decline illustrated by two recent arrests.
On the evening of Friday, April 23, seven police officers broke down the door of graphic artist Fahmi Reza’s home, arrested him, and took him to the police station for questioning. His alleged crime? Creating a jealousy-themed Spotify playlist in a satirical response to a controversial tweet by Malaysia’s queen.
Although he was released on bail after 24 hours, he is being investigated under Malaysia’s notorious Sedition Act, which criminalises any speech with a tendency to “excite disaffection” against or “bring into hatred or contempt” members of Malaysia’s royalty.
Those convicted of sedition face up to seven years in prison. Fahmi is also facing possible charges under a broadly worded provision of Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Act that has frequently been used against critics of the government or royalty. Human Rights Watch has long called for repeal or amendment of both laws.
The day after Fahmi’s arrest, the authorities arrested activist Mukmin Nantang and six others for protesting the 14-day extension of strict movement control orders in a village in the state of Sabah. The activists asserted that the villagers needed further assistance from the government to survive, since they have been unable to work since the lockdown began on April 11.
All seven were detained for two days before being released on bail. They are being investigated under Malaysia’s Peaceful Assembly Act for failing to give 10-day advance notice of the protest, among other charges. No one should be held criminally liable for the mere act of organising or participating in a peaceful assembly.
These are just the most recent examples of the Malaysian government’s assault on freedom of speech. Since taking power in March 2020, the government has initiated numerous criminal investigations for peaceful speech, arrested peaceful protesters, and banned books.
It put in place a new, vaguely worded emergency ordinance against “fake news” about Covid-19 or the country’s recently enacted state of emergency. The assault has included the media, leading Reporters Without Borders to drop Malaysia’s ranking 18 countries in its annual World Press Freedom Index.
With national elections on the horizon, there is a grave risk that investigations and prosecutions for peaceful speech and protests will continue to rise, further tarnishing the country’s reputation. The Malaysian government should stop treating criticism – and satire – as criminal and learn to engage with, rather than imprison, its critics.
LINDA LAKHDHIR is a legal advisor in the Asia division of Human Rights Watch
