This is not 'Ops Lalang' govt, Fahmi rebukes Ambiga

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil ticked off former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenavasan for calling the administration dictatorial.

“This is not a government that launches ‘Ops Lalang’. It’s a hyperbolic statement (from her),” he said at a press conference today.

He pointed to a recent demonstration held in Tambun, where participants were not punished but instead, were given water to drink along with bread.

Ops Lalang refers to the police operations in 1987, under the first premiership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which saw over 100 politicians and activists being detained under the now-defunct Internal Security Act.

On July 29, Ambiga criticised the government over its proposal to get social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users to apply for a licence.

"I never thought I would see the day when a (Pakatan) Harapan-led government which ran on the platform of fighting for the abolishment of the (Printing Presses and Publications Act) 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!” she said.

‘Be mindful’

However, several leaders chided Ambiga for her views, with PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim telling her to be mindful of her accusations.

Bersih chairperson Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said while the government’s slow pace of reforms was frustrating, calling it “the most dictatorial” was extreme.

Earlier today, Fahmi said social media platforms that fail to register by Jan 1 would be penalised under Section 126 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA), which provides for a fine of not more than RM500,000 or five years’ jail or both.

On that note, the communications minister stressed that the licensing requirement would not stifle freedom of speech.

Rather, the requirement was made to tackle cyber crimes such as scams.

“This is also about internet safety for children and families.

“Plus, we had various engagement sessions with NGOs (about the licensing rule),” Fahmi added.

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