LFL slams probe against Isham for urging PM to sue Bloomberg

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has slammed the police questioning of former Umno supreme council member Isham Jalil after he urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to sue Bloomberg.

The human rights organisation's director, Zaid Malek, said the Anwar-led Madani government is plunging into dictatorial rule with such an investigation against Isham.

"Bloomberg is an international news agency, and their report alleging that there was abuse of power in MACC is a matter of public interest involving transparency and accountability in governance.

"Why then are the authorities investigating Isham for making comments based on the news report?" Zaid (above, left) asked in a statement today.

Bloomberg’s allegations cannot simply be dismissed without an investigation, he said, adding that those making comments based on the article cannot be treated like criminals.

Yesterday, Putrajaya police questioned Isham for urging Anwar to sue Bloomberg over a report which claimed Anwar ordered MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki not to investigate the premier’s former political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak over the latter’s purchase of shares in HeiTech Padu Bhd.

The anti-graft agency and the Prime Minister’s Office have denied the allegations.

Isham is reportedly being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for his remark.

Isham is not the only one who has urged Anwar to take legal action against Bloomberg, as PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari had dared the premier to do the same on Sept 26.

Halt fear and intimidation tactics

Elaborating, Zaid claimed it was the mark of a dictatorial government when it first responded to allegations of corruption and abuse of power with criminal investigations against its critics.

"This is an act of intimidation against the public to prevent them from discussing a matter of national interest.

"Many from Pakatan Harapan were subjected to criminal investigations and even charged in court when speaking out against abuse of power or corruption during the BN era, actions that Harapan strongly condemned as high-handed and oppressive.

"Why are similar tactics being employed by the police now that Harapan and Madani are the ones subjected to public scrutiny?" he asked.

Zaid urged Putrajaya to quit using fear and intimidation against the public for criticising the prime minister or other government leaders.

"The Madani government should uphold their promise to respect the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech and expression, and as such must immediately halt the criminal investigation on Isham,” he said.

It needs to also ensure no one else is subjected to criminal investigations for discussing the Bloomberg report or for being critical of the country’s leadership, he added.

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