Stop trampling on people’s freedom to criticise politicians, Kedah MB told

PKR Youth has urged Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and the police to immediately stop their actions against those who criticise politicians in the country.

In a statement released after a fourth individual was arrested for his comment towards Sanusi (above) on social media, PKR Youth said such arrests are a form of oppression on people’s freedom of speech and go against the rule of law.

“We believe that using those laws to investigate the individuals is a form of oppression towards freedom of expression and damage the concept of people’s check and balance towards the government.

“Police investigation on them is a cruel act and go against our country’s rule of law as the freedom of speech is enshrined under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution,” Kedah PKR Youth chief Mohammed Firdaus Johari and party's national legal bureau secretary Darwin Lim Chee Chien said.

Four individuals across the country have been arrested and investigated under the 1955 Minor Offences Act, 1998 Communication and Multimedia Act as well as the Penal Code after commenting on Sanusi’s recent remarks on Covid-19 victims which sparked controversy. 

Firdaus and Lim worried the police actions will create a culture of fear in the country and people will no longer dare to exercise their rights which are guaranteed in the constitution.

“As such, we urge the police to immediately halt the use of those laws towards the individuals.

“The Kedah menteri besar should take full responsibility for this incident and apologise to the people for his failure to set a good example as a government leader,” they added.

The recent arrests by police have received backlash from various quarters in the country, including from PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan and Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy.  

Sanusi is no stranger to controversy. The menteri besar had come under fire last year for accusing his critics of being “drunk on the toddy of populism”, and was fined last month for going on a test drive during the Covid-19 lockdown. 

'Don't waste time on petty matters'

Meanwhile, DAP's Lim Guan Eng and Lim Kit Siang also spoke out against the police action on Sanusi's critics.

Guan Eng said police should not waste their time on petty matters such as insults.

"Unless there are threats to murder... that requires police action," the DAP secretary-general told reporters in Penang today.

A video of his impromptu presser was streamed on his Facebook page.

One of the four individuals arrested by police for criticising Sanusi did allegedly make "threatening remarks" against the Kedah menteri besar.

Guan Eng said Sanusi should grow a thicker skin, and that being insulted is part and parcel of being in power.

He said he too had faced much vitriol during his time as Penang chief minister and later finance minister.

Guan Eng added that if there is any need to take action, it can be done through the civil courts.

Kit Siang, in a separate statement, said police need to consider how taking action against government critics affects their image.

"It is time that Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani intervene and be mindful of the image the police want to project - that the police is a friend and protector of the citizen and not officialdom and that Malaysia is not a police state.

"(Police must also) ensure that the police image is not undermined by over-zealous police personnel who misconstrue their role and duties," the elder Lim said.

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