Friday, December 8, 2017

Free speech in Malaysia

Major (as he then was) Zaidi Ahmad
Do you remember Zaidi Ahmad? He's in the news yet again, as witness this New Straits Times report:
A non-government organisation (NGO) is urging police action against former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officer major Zaidi Ahmad for allegedly making slanderous comments about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on WhatsApp.

International University Alumni Association secretary Naseron Ismail lodged a police report on the matter at the Dang Wangi district police (IPD) headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.

Naseron told the media outside the IPD that in a WhatsApp group named “Debate PRU14 Analisis” Zaidi posted a comment which humiliated Najib, whom he referred to as “a thief of billions of ringgit of the rakyat's money.”

“In his post, he also claimed that Najib slept during the 31st Asean Summit in Manila recently. His statement belittled Najib's credibility as our nation's leader.

"I am in the same WhatsApp group as Zaidi. I asked him to clarify his statement. He (responded by) mocking me," he said.

Naseron told Zaidi in the WhatsApp group that he would lodge a police report over the comments.

"I was really unhappy (over his comments). I am afraid that (they) would influence other people," he said, adding that Zaidi could be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act.

Naseron said he made a police report as a deterrent against all individuals who want to make slanderous remarks on social media.

"This should be stopped, as it will give a bad impression of the nation, especially with the upcoming election period," he added.
Can't have that happening, can we? 

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