YOURSAY ‘The cops see ghosts everywhere, including under their own beds.’

Law don denies sedition, raps academic stifling

Kingfisher: It is quite unfortunate that a true-blooded Malaysian's youthful voice of moderation and intellectual clarity, and especially one who in his professional role must also bear some responsibility as guardian to protect and promote the Malaysian constitution, has found himself in a predicament on a charge under the Sedition Act.

One wonders if it is good public policy to stifle intellectual discourse when the government commits significant public expenditure annually in education to foster the development of dynamic and learned individuals who will buttress the growth and success of the nation in a globalising world where there is severe competition for knowledge and technology.

The indicators of nearly all developed nations rank high in their acknowledgment of fundamental rights.

Kadavule!!: Associate Professor Azmi Sharom, you are one fine writer. I enjoy your articles immensely. (One reason why I still buy The Star ).

It's a pity that those people who are up there don't even have one-tenth of your brains. Do they even care what happens to our beloved country? If they truly loved Malaysia, would they be saying all these nasty things about the citizens of this country?

AB Sulaiman: It's said that a ruling government acts because of either love or fear of the people. In this case, does the government fear Azmi?

Maplesyrup: What to do, for a few dollars or some enticement, people are willing to vote for the devil they know. For as long as Malaysians vote for their own personal gains rather than the public good, we will forever be subject to all manner of harassment.

Calling one race pendatang, and telling them to “balik China”, etc, are not seditious. On the other hand, uttering the words “celaka Umno” is.

It reminds me of parents who practise favouritism amongst their kids. Some get away with murder (not literally lah ) while others get punished.

MA: There's a old Sanskrit adage that goes: Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam. These are the four pillars one look up to as they "create" you in your thoughts and build you as you pass through different stages in life.

Sad to say, in Malaysia however, the very people or ‘beings’ we are supposed to look up to and learn are being contained. From God to ordinary people and now teachers; their voices are shackled. George Orwell's Big Brother is in town and ready to stalk us.

Mr KJ John: I heard that the charge is based on 'evidence gathering' on words Azmi spoke in response to questions at the police headquarters on Aug 15, but what exactly is the crime that he is charged with; what did he say that is so 'seditious'?

Cantabrigian: It's normal for lawyers or law lecturers to give opposing views on any legal issue. Give a legal problem to 10 lawyers and they will come out with 20 opinions, each!

Charging Azmi for thinking (and saying) that the Perak constitutional crisis in 2009 was legally wrong? Give me a break. You can even challenge judges in appeal or judicial review, so what's new with this one? Seditious, my ***!

Ian2003: This is outright abuse of the Sedition Act and not so much an issue of the Act being outdated. The updated version would be equally bad when it is being abused.

All these acts are just tools and their function depends on the person who uses them, and currently they are being misused. A simple penknife can also cause a fatality if it is being misused.

Jesse: The cops and prosecutors see ghosts everywhere, including under their own beds. Madness is in the air.

I suggest all the students and right-thinking Malaysians repeat exactly what Azmi had written and see if they are all charged for sedition.

How ridiculous have they become! Robots applying the law and wrong at that too.

Senior Citizen: I urge the prime minister, home minister and all concerned authorities, please listen. We have a beautiful country. Don't spoil and destroy it. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Look at what is happening in the world around us. Thank God we are spared.

Please stop this harassment of our citizens. The arrests of the Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) members were totally unnecessary. Why arrest our MPs and assemblypersons? Let our men and women live in peace.

What's New?: Sedition should only apply to the one who did not show respect and adhere faithfully to the federal and state constitutions.

Associate Professor Azmi should be given the national hero award for saving the country from obvious embarrassment and simultaneously, educating the ignorant nincompoops whose eyes are blurred with greed.

The Analyser: Yes, Azmi is one of the very few truly admirable men in Malaysia. It's no wonder they want to cut him down.

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