'Dictatorial govt': Did Anwar suspend Parliament, MP chides Ambiga

PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim criticised former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan for calling the current administration “the most dictatorial government”.

“How can the government be dictatorial when it didn’t declare an emergency and suspend Parliament like what Perikatan Nasional did?

“What kind of a dictatorial government debates the Suhakam, auditor-general, and Public Accounts Committee reports in Parliament?

“And would a dictatorial government allow itself to be defeated in an election, like what happened in Sungai Bakap? Be mindful before throwing accusations,” Hassan (above, left) said on Facebook.

Yesterday, Ambiga criticised the government over its decision to impose new licensing laws for social media operators.

Taking to X, she said she never imagined a Pakatan Harapan-led government would go back on its election promises of reforming archaic laws, including the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984.

“I never thought I would see the day when a Harapan-led government which ran on the platform of fighting for the abolishment of the PPPA would instead keep it and impose new licensing laws.

“UG (unity government), we can now crown you the most dictatorial government we have ever had. Syabas (Congrats)!” she said.

On July 27, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a licence to operate.

The new framework will be introduced on Aug 1, with implementation set for Jan 1, 2025.

Unfair accusation

Taking Ambiga to task, Hassan said she could argue against requiring social media platforms to obtain licences, but accusing Putrajaya of being a dictatorship was unfair.

“I understand the current administration has its weaknesses… so please reprimand and criticise.

“But accusing the current administration of being a dictatorship is going too far,” he added.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed his commitment to freedom of speech on social media despite the government’s plans to regulate such platforms.

He mentioned that planned controls over social media platforms are to curb crimes such as cyberbullying, child abuse, and financial scams.

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