I am perturbed and at the same time admittedly amused by the reactions of some in authority, especially that of the Attorney General, towards the April Fool's joke played by malaysiakini to its readers on April 1.

On behalf of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, I wish to urge strongly the AG to exercise and appear to exercise justice with freedom by not deciding to resort to any reckless or repressive action on malaysiakini , even if the authorities find the joke to be objectionable.

But why is the joke so objectionable ? Is it too close to reality? Or is it because it reminds people too much that the government has not done much against corruption, despite the proclamations of the Prime Minister a year ago?

If the answers to these questions are in the negative, then the best thing to do is to proceed taking firm actions against the big perpetrators of corrupt practices, especially those in high offices, and not to threaten severe actions against those who expose them, directly or indirectly.

A joke should be taken in its spirit. We should learn to enjoy a good joke. In the case of the malaysiakini joke, which I consider to be good, it does not attack anybody directly. Why should anybody feel guilty if he thinks he is not? I hope the authorities will not be too sensitive to and so easily stressed by just an April Fool's joke.

Politicians and public servants should learn to be more relaxed and tolerant. They should be well advised not to be seen again as being too arrogant because of their power.

Dr Syed Husin Ali is PKR's deputy president.