I have been reading a lot recently to catch up with the latest developments of the political tussle in Perak and the incident of Elizabeth Wong's private photographs.

Apart from news reports regarding the two events and articles supporting Wong, I have seen various allegations and accusations being made against the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, as the central government.

People have been accusing the BN of luring three defectors into supporting it. People have been claiming that the three received kickbacks from the BN to back it up.

People have been saying that Wong's ex-boyfriend conspired with the BN to tarnish her reputation, or that the BN plotted the whole incident with the help of this ex-boyfriend to bring down its rival, Pakatan Rakyat.

I totally understand that the freedom of speech is a fundamental right of human beings. We enjoy the right to speak out our opinions freely on any issue, including the aforementioned events. But, to be frank, are we abusing this right that is granted by the constitution of our country?

It is understandable as well as reasonable for us to suspect that the BN is behind the scenes of these events because no one but this coalition would gain biggest advantages from them. The political turmoil in Perak granted BN the control of the state government.

Aside from that, it also struck a blow to Pakatan and dispirited its members as what Anwar Ibrahim intended to use (defections) was instead successfully employed by BN.

As for the case involving Wong's nude photos, we are yet to see how subsequent events will go. However, if Wong's resignation is accepted by the state legislature, it will definitely be a big loss to PR.

While it is fine for us to ‘suspect’ the BN and the ex-boyfriend's roles in these events, it does not mean that we can make wild allegations and accusations without evidence. That is what politicians do in order to garner people's support - not what we, the rakyat, are supposed to do.

Yet we have seen a lot of people lambasting the ruling coalition with harsh words and mean language. Some even cursed them to hell and/or described them as a rascals or scumbags.

But as of the moment, the BN has not admitted its role in any of the two cases nor has Wong's ex-boyfriend confessed to any wrongdoing let alone the fact that the courts have not made any judgment against them.

What grants us the right to whip them with words? Is it freedom of speech?

No, that's not how the freedom of speech should be used. We do not use it to accuse anyone of any wrongdoings without proof, or attack anyone that we deem has done evil deeds.

In all the articles, letters and comments that I have read, the writers rarely made any assumption apart from saying ‘if the BN was involved’ or the like. But they assailed the coalition and/or the ex-boyfriend outright. Do remember another right that we all enjoy and that is one is innocent until proven guilty.

We can criticise the policies made by the government. We can give our opinions on any issue to any party. We can offer our suggestions to the authorities.

We can voice our discontent to any governmental department. And, there are a lot more of things that we can do with the power of freedom of speech. That's how we enjoy the right.