`


THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ALLAH
read:
MALAYSIA Tanah Tumpah Darahku

LOVE MALAYSIA!!!


 


Friday, January 16, 2015

TRY RACIAL BULLYING! Nothing seditious in Paulsen's tweet, why was he arrested - Bar Council

TRY RACIAL BULLYING! Nothing seditious in Paulsen's tweet, why was he arrested - Bar Council
KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Bar Council has called on the authorities to cease their use of the Sedition Act 1948, and to recognize the right to freedom of speech and expression.
“The authorities must not use an abhorrent piece of legislation to protect themselves from fair comment and criticism,” said Malaysian Bar President Christopher Leong in a statement. “Instead of fostering moderation and understanding, or safeguarding national harmony, the effect of the Sedition Act 1948 was to ensure that people perpetually walk on eggshells.”
“It seeks to cow, intimidate and punish because there are people who may be offended or angered by what is said.”
The Sedition Act 1948 encourages people who are not open to adverse comments or ideas, the statement warned. “It endorses and nurtures a culture of aggression, intemperance and intolerance that does not engender the growth and maturity of this nation and its peoples, and provides an environment for extremism to thrive.”
The Council cites some examples.
It’s particularly concerned that the Inspector General of Police had, in his tweets, reportedly described Eric Paulsen, Executive Director and Co-founder of Lawyers for Liberty as “biadap” (rude), “angkuh” (arrogant), as well as “…ingat dia akan berjaya menghasut Rakyat Malaysia supaya menghancurkan semangat mesyarakat 1M’sia kita” . (He thinks that he can instigate the people until it destroys the spirit of our 1Malaysia society.)
“This (tweet) does not accord with the level of professionalism expected of the police, who are obliged to conduct an independent, neutral and objective investigation of the matter without any personal views or preconceptions,” added Leong.
The statement noted that Paulsen was arrested by 20 police officers under the Sedition Act 1948 for a tweet: “JAKIM is promoting extremism every Fri”.
“Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) is a Federal government authority or agency. A comment, including an adverse one, directed at such an agency cannot be construed as an insult to the religion. There does not appear to be anything in the tweet or comment reportedly made by Eric Paulsen that insults Islam as alleged,” said Leong.
“It must be emphasized that an allegedly adverse statement directed at a government authority or agency, such as JAKIM, should never be criminalized. A government authority or agency is not beyond public scrutiny or comment, nor can it be immune from criticism. This is part and parcel of the nature of accountability of public authorities in democratic societies.”
As in a previous case concerning alleged comments regarding the burning of Bibles, he added, “the authorities should be consistent in the application of the law”.
If the authorities were to be consistent, the context of the tweet or comment and the intention of the maker should therefore be taken into account.”
In its ordinary and natural meaning, the tweet was an expression of concern directed at the Government to look into the actions of a government agency, pointed out Leong. “Whether the concern as expressed is borne out is a matter for inquiry and rebuttal. There cannot be anything seditious about such comments.” - FMT

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.