It’s regrettable that Tony Pua lodged a police report against Kelab Penyokong Maya Umno (KPMU), which allegedly insulted Christians and Christianity. Indeed, it’s unfortunate that he even instigated the police to “arrest the writer, editor, publisher and the owner of the website and investigate them under the Sedition Act”. (Check out the Malaysiakini report.)
Just to clarify, I don’t condone anyone insulting Christians and Christianity, or any other religion for that matter. However, I do have a problem with condoning the use of sedition legislation.
I know that it’s a tactic often used by opposition political parties to highlight the double standards of the authorities, especially the police, but I strongly object to the use of such a crude and heinous piece of legislation for political purposes.
If we bother to look at the history of sedition laws around the world, we’ll discover that, from America to India, they have been used to defend the position of the establishment and/or the ruling elite. And this is simply achieved by shutting people up and not allowing them to speak out or even question matters that are deemed to be “sacred” and/or “sensitive”.
In any real democracy (I don’t consider USA to be a democracy), the freedom of expression is one of the most fundamental civil rights that the people have to promote and protect their own freedoms and interests, not only vis-a-vis other groups but especially the state.
Hence, if we were to support the use of such a law, we are essentially shooting ourselves in the foot. We are basically telling the authorities that it is “okay” for them to use the Sedition Act against any of us, regardless of whether we are bloggers, politicians, religious leaders or even entrepreneurs who simply speak up against injustice.
Sometimes, it may be painful to hear some people say some stupid things, and it may even anger us. However, if we truly believe in human rights, and that only with such rights we can preserve our dignity, then we must respect other people’s rights, too (no matter how stupidly they exercise those rights).
In any case, for these people to say such things, it merely shows their malice and/or ignorance. Most of us can see through the words, and know their true intention. Frankly, I find some of their writing and arguments childish, and simply not worth commenting on.
Instead of wasting our energy pointing fingers at others, I reckon we should rally behind people like Namewee (of Negarakuku fame) and defend them if they are actually charged under the Sedition Act. And if Johari Baharum, the Deputy Internal Security Minister, wants to do some real work, please ask him to instruct the police force to protect the people against criminals, instead of wasting time “investigating” bloggers and other netizens.
very well put. I support your comments fully!!!
Sedition Laws (Acts) are primararily enacted to protect special interests/rights of certain sector of a population while conversely discriminating against the rest. The perfect recipe for DISASTER!
The way the investigation has been conducted by the Police is stupid and comical. But what is even more mind-boggling is that the Public Prosecutor’s office (that is you people lah) have accepted the half-baked and bungled up investigation done by the police and you have presented it all as evidence in a Court of Law.
I brings forth my testimony in support of my stand without fear, that very action is true.
1) I was roobed at knife-point at my residency (as stated in my very police report)but very succcessful, it had ben neutralize an arm-robbery along the road.
2) I personally (as reported in my police report, also) recovered 2 of my MBB cheque that was taken from me in the arm-robbery. But according to the police conclusive Investigation Statement, nothing were recovered, thus my “kawad-cam” person was not charge for using my personal MBB cheque , stamping it nto a cooperates cheque to cheat the public, amounting to $11,500 RM.
3) The “Material Evidence in Statement” submitted in to the DPP by the policce as “Exhibit” for the Adminstrating of Justice is false and missleading.
So in my aggrieved action, i thereof , calls publicly to Abdul Gani, to resign oneself so as not to put our Malaysian juditial system in much more shame … as we are to celebrate the birth of our 50th. independence.I also call’s on to our beloved Yang Di-Petua Agong and all our Malaysian rular’s to put forwards a motion to our present Prime Minister, “a vote of no confidence” in our present AG’s department.
mature thinking and mature speaking…
I also support your comments.
2 questions to aks:-
do they listen to you?
do you thing they will give up?
Our government sure will do something to protect themselve…. by using what they call democracy (the weaknesses in democracy)in their term(s).
We only can hope everybody “Rakyat” come up with one voice and make 50 Malaysia Birhday History in this world…. make surprise to the world by defeat UMNO, MCA, Gerakan & MIC.
In response to golden888, and before I answer your 2 questions, I’d like to clarify who you are referring to when you say “they”. If you mean BN and all the component parties, here are my answers:
1. They usually do not listen. However, in those rare occasions when they do listen, they either react stupidly (e.g. reaction to Namewee) or do the right thing but do not acknowledge the source of the idea.
2. They will definitely not give up. They will either self-destruct (because whatever they are doing is unnatural, and anything going against the course of nature will eventually decay) or they have to be removed by us, the Rakyat (as you so rightly put it).
Note: We need to do much more than just vote during elections. First thing to do? To care. Who should be doing that? All of us. When to take action? Now.
Cheers, I view all your posts, keep them coming.