NATHANIEL TAN WAS ARRESTED FOR SEDITION
Here's an excerpt published in a local newspaper recently:
THE Centre for Independent Journalism objects strongly to the government's threat to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) to silence critical bloggers.
Detention without trial, as stipulated under the ISA, against a blogger is grossly disproportionate and alarming.
The government's willingness to use the draconian law seems to affirm the speculation that it fears the freedom of speech over Internet.It also shows that the government takes the easy way out to punish a blogger without going through an open court process, besides violating the fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
On 25 July, national news agency BERNAMA reported that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and de-facto Law Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz warned that the government will take action against bloggers using the ISA, the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 121b of the Penal Code. The deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak was also reported as reminding media and website operators to be mindful of existing laws and to practice discretion in publishing stories.
A series of actions precipitated Nazri's warning. On 23 July, the Information Chief of ruling party UMNO, Muhammad Taib lodged a police report against popular blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, owner of Malaysia Today, for insulting the King. Malaysia Today often carries stories about corruption in UMNO and the police force and has been critical of the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
On 13 July, blogger and staff of opposition party PKR was arrested under the Official Secrets Act for a comment and a link posted on his blog alleging a deputy minister of corruption. He was detained until 17 July and released without a charge.
On 10 July, the Multimedia and Communication Commission (MCMC) launched an investigation against blogger and Information Chief of PKR, Tian Chua upon a complaint filed by UMNO Youth. Tian Chua was investigated for publication of a photo montage portraying the deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak in a dinner with the accused of a murder trial and his aide Abdul Razak Baginda, and the murder victim Altantuya Shaaribuu.CIJ is deeply concerned that the government's tough warning is aimed at spreading fear across the blogosphere, the media industry and the public in the wake of the impending general election. CIJ is suspicious about the government's obsession with bloggers and the swiftness in considering the use laws like the ISA and Sedition Act.
We call for Nazri to revoke his warnings, stop any action against bloggers and respect citizens' fundamental rights and freedom of expression.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a media organization that aims to improve current Malaysian journalism practice and independence through advocacy, research and analysis, training and practical work. Started in 2001, CIJ has initiated various projects in developing grassroots communications skills through training, infrastructural support and direct action.
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
No comments:
Post a Comment