The continued crackdown against the freedom of expression by government authorities will only lead to greater unrest, warned media watch group Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).

CIJ directors Sonia Randhawa and Jac Kee said this in wake of inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar’s threat via Twitter against those whom he deems to have breached the Sedition Act and other laws that restrict freedom of expression.

Upon the Federal Court having upheld the conviction and five-year jail term for opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Khalid had said the police would investigate DAP MP Nga Kor Ming under the Sedition Act for a tweet urging the public to oppose the “despotic regime” ( rejim zalim ).

Khalid also stated that the police would investigate cartoonist Zunar, for a tweet that referred to judges receiving rewards from political masters, as well as PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli for having uploaded a satirical cartoon of a judge.

PCIRC @PDRMsia siasat juga tweet ini yg cuba menghasut Rakyat mempercayai Hakim di bayar pic.twitter.com/6i8dArq3rO

— Khalid Abu Bakar (@KBAB51) February 10, 2015

“Such investigations and charges under the Sedition Act are ongoing because of the continued failure of the government to fulfil Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's promise to repeal this draconian legislation, which goes against established international standards on freedom of expression.

“It also contravenes the federal constitution which states that legitimate restrictions can only be placed on this freedom in the interests of national security, public order and public morality.

"The Federal Court has held that such restrictions must be demonstrated to be necessary and proportionate," CIJ stressed.

“Investigating and charging individuals for expressing criticism against the government, its agencies, or the judiciary, but that does not constitute a direct and immediate threat to public order or national security, goes against established national laws as well as international human rights standards,” it added.

Much criticism from various parties

Directors Randhawa and Kee noted that such actions have been criticised in Malaysia as well as by international organisations, the international media and world leaders.

“Prosecuting people for expressing critique of government authorities or the judiciary, directly counters any claim of democracy and accountability by the government.

“There is disproportionate attention given by the police to critical statements posted online which have not threatened or incited any violence.

“On the other hand, CIJ notes with regret that there have been no announcements forthcoming from the police on their progress in investigating actual threats of violence against a female journalist from a Tamil newspaper in Penang who received multiple death threats merely for doing her job,” CIJ pointed out in a press statement.

The media watchdog said given that Anwar’s ( left ) case is of much public interest, discussions regarding the matter and the independence of the judiciary would have been inevitable - given the strong interest in the case.

“An independent judiciary is one of the foundations of an established democracy. Shutting down such discussions and questions is not the way to move forward from here.

“If the police are indeed committed to maintaining public order in the wake of this decision, they should not discourage public discussion and expression over the judgment.

“Stifling the tension and deep displeasure in certain segments of society over this decision may only lead to greater unrest.

“The police's role is to ensure that any discussion and discourse do not incite hatred and violence towards any individual or any particular group, rather than to ensure 'harmony', which is a vague and nebulous term.

“This is a pivotal time for our nation. CIJ urges all parties to maintain open and peaceful discourse and for issues to be debated and discussed, instead of shut down and buried,” it emphasised.