'Freedom of expression doesn't include freedom to insult religion'
Freedom of expression does not encompass the freedom to insult others' religions, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim stressed today.
Commenting on the recent arrests of several individuals for insulting Islam, Anwar branded their actions "stupid and evil."
He added that this could end up disrupting national harmony if not met with stern action from authorities...
Freedom of expression does not encompass the freedom to insult others' religions, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim stressed today.
Commenting on the recent arrests of several individuals for insulting Islam, Anwar branded their actions "stupid and evil."
He added that this could end up disrupting national harmony if not met with stern action from authorities.
"The right to voice opinions, criticising or questioning some aspects of religious belief, that is still acceptable," he told a press conference after an event at the Utusan Melayu Bhd office in Kuala Lumpur.
"But to insult aqidah (faith) and the Prophet, that is stupid and evil, and does not bring any good to the country.
"If there is anyone who believes that this is only the practice of freedom (of expression) and being liberal, this means that the person has a deviant understanding."
Yesterday, 22-year-old factory worker A Taneson was charged in the Shah Alam Magistrates' Court for insulting Prophet Muhammad, which was followed by senior citizen Wai Foo Sin being hit with two charges for a similar offence.
A third suspect is also being investigated by police for comments posted on Facebook.
'Negative impact'
As Anwar told the press conference, insults against religion could also negatively impact the Pakatan Harapan administration's efforts to rebuild the country.
"We want to focus on developing the country's economy, to solve the rakyat's issues and 'kesenjangan' (income inequality).
"We do not want to be diverted by some who believe that this (insulting religion) is their right," he said.
Anwar also advised Muslims not to take such actions by several individuals as representative of all non-Muslims.
He recounted being approached by many non-Muslims expressing their disapproval of the insults against Islam, who assured him that they do not share the same views.
When asked about the by-election for the vacant Negeri Sembilan seat of Rantau, Anwar said PKR was still sifting through a list of proposed candidates.
He said the party's political bureau would convene a meeting this evening to discuss the matter.
Among the names on the list, he noted, are several women candidates from PKR, as well as the Harapan candidate for the 14th general election, Dr S Streram.
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