Sedition Act is now the new ISA
YOURSAY ‘Just tell us how many Umno-linked NGOs leaders are charged.’
Kok to face sedition charge over video
Gerard Lourdesamy: If this is not selective prosecution, I do not know what is. How can political satire be sedition?
If Seputeh MP Teresa Kok can be charged with sedition, what about Ibrahim Ali, Zulkifli Noordin, Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and the other "extremists" from Isma (Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia)? Or sedition now only applies to non-Malays and non-Muslims?
The attorney-general (AG) is clearly misusing his powers under Article 45 of the Federal Constitution, simply for political purposes. Even if Kok is fined or convicted, DAP is not going to lose the Seputeh parliamentary seat in a by-election.
Only Umno-BN is going to lose more votes in GE14 from the voters, especially the Chinese and Indians. This is the discrimination and injustice that US President Barack Obama was talking about during his visit a week ago.
The more Umno-BN oppresses the opposition, the more the rakyat hate the regime.
Swipenter: All signs are here that the Umno Baru fascist government is using the courts and police to harass and/or nail opposition politicians and dissidents.
Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad used the now repealed Internal Security Act (ISA) to jail many opposition politicians and dissidents.
Now, PM Najib Razak is using a piece of colonial law - the Sedition Act - and the newly-minted Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) to harass, nail or disqualify opposition politicians one by one.
But this is a self-defeating and futile strategy. Harassing and disqualifying political opponents and dissidents only makes them more popular by making them victims of official harassment and persecution.
But pro-Umno Baru right-wing Malay/Muslim NGOs who spout seditious utterances and verbal threats of violence and bloodshed against the minorities can do so with impunity.
The play on the Malay/non-Malay and Muslim/non-Muslim dichotomy is more intensified than ever under the Najib regime.
Old Timer: The destruction of the opposition has started and one by one, the opposition leaders will be charged with sedition of one kind or another.
This really shows how scared Umno-BN is of losing the next general election. Is Malaysia still a democratic nation? Your guess is as good as mine.
FellowMalaysian: Teresa's CNY video was nothing more than a good laugh during the Chinese New Year festival.
The video took a light-hearted look at some of the absurdities and oddities that happened the past year.
Never has any of the scenes aroused any distasteful feelings and I am flummoxed how some people could relate this innocent video clip with religious or racial slurs.
President Obama's recent visit here has reminded me of how past (and present) American presidents had their share of being lampooned by cartoonists.
One caricaturist whose works stood out prominently was Ranan Lurie of ‘Lurie's View’ fame. Ronald Reagan always had a horse-like face and Richard Nixon was infamous with his bulbous nose. And Lurie made the presidents say inane things too.
It’s time that we learn to see the funny side of things or events, rather than be so edgy and overly sensitive. It is also time to look beyond race and religion.
Anonymous_1396163122: Rakyat, you be our judge - just tell us how many Umno and Umno-linked NGOs leaders are charged with sedition.
Haven’t they committed more severe seditious utterances? All this while we were made to understand that the Umno government is going to do away with this outdated draconian piece of law, a monstrous creation of the British.
How come, suddenly, most opposition leaders are fervently pursued and slapped with sedition charges and are successfully prosecuted (pronounced: persecuted) by the malleable courts of law?
Anonymous_1396273388: Whether you agree with Teresa Kok is one thing, but politicians must be able to withstand ridicule and scrutiny by the public at large.
This is part of the deal for those assuming public office. Even President Obama was 'roasted' by the press community just last week. If you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Anonymous_5fb: We all know Umno has full control over the government and the judiciary.
We are aware of the Malay, Islam and royal issues that are played by them at any opportunity to divide rakyat into Malay and non-Malay. The unity of Malaysians is not in their minds at all.
So, Pakatan Rakyat politicians must be smart enough in not allowing Umno, Perkasa, Pekida, ultra-Malay NGOs and Islamic groups to play up these issues.
Again, we all know this charge against Teresa Kok is unnecessary, but what more can we do to stop them when all the machineries are under their control?
We are going to see another waste of time and resources for this case. But, they don't even care.
Onyourtoes: The cold winter gale is getting stronger. The regime is getting desperate, given the massive rally on May 1, 2014.
They know even the Malays are now deserting them; hence the use of the AG and the court. Be prepared for a long winter, my friends.
AG files sedition charge to protect Rosmah?
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