The chaos caused by the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims shows the folly of absolute freedom, says a federal minister.

“Malaysia is of the opinion that freedom of expression must be practiced with tact and responsibility.

NONE “The freedom to condem and slander must not be allowed as it can destroy lives and international harmony,” argued Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz ( right ) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

One such example is the production of the anti-Islam movie, which he warned worsened the polemic between the Muslim world and the West.

As such, he said that the freedom of expression demands responsibilities and should have legal limits to preserve the rights of others and national security.

The de facto law minister also condemned the “hypocrisy” of the West for their claim that the matter cannot be interfered with as it involved freedom of expression.

He gave the example of semi-naked pictures of UK royal Kate Middleton which saw the nation’s government seeking an injunction to stop distribution of the salacious topless pictures.

“To condemn Islam, okay... to show pictured of Kate Middleton which is naked up there, not okay.”

NONE Nazri was speaking on the government’s behalf when House proceedings were suspended in the afternoon to debate and condemn the anti-Islam movie.

Deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee ( left ) ruled this in the morning after considering emergency motions from Salahuddin Ayob (PAS-Kubang Kerian) and Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) to discuss the controversial film that has been accused of insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

He used his powers under Standing Order 18(3) to suspend the proceedings and he gave an hour for the House to discuss the Parliament’s reaction to the film which has garnered demonstrations and protests against it from Muslims worldwide.

Calm and speedy manner

The Parliament debate on the matter proceeded in a calm and speedy manner uncharacteristic of Malaysia’s often rambunctious parliament, with members from both sides of the aisle of varying races and religious beliefs standing up to ask the government to issue a clear stand in condemning the film.

Salahuddin, Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang), Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) stood up to debate for the opposition while Khairy, Alexander Nanta-Linggi (BN-Kapit), Liang Teck Meng (BN Simpang Renggam) and P Kamalanathan (BN-Hulu Selangor) debated for the ruling coalition.

Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) debated for the independents.

In general the MPs all condemned the movie which as Salahuddin puts it, is a “clear provocation to stoke Islamophobia fears”.

All agreed that the movie goes against the principle of respecting the religions of others as taught by all religions.

However, the government and parliamentarians all agreed that any protest against the movie should not escalate to violence as seen elsewhere, which they condemn.

Nazri said that the government is working with Google and YouTube to block access to the movie, while the Film Censorship Board will not approve any screening permits for the movie in Malaysia and the government will continue to push for action against the movie makers.

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