PM disagrees with probe against Fahmi, PKR Youth reminds cops

Summary

• PKR Youth condemns activist and graphic designer Fahmi Reza’s arrest

• PKR Youth legal bureau chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi reminds the authority that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had disagreed with the investigation and charge against Fahmi.

• Muda and rights group Aliran also express disappointment that those in power are reneging on their reform promises, instead using the same laws they were against to crack down on critics.

PKR Youth has condemned the arrest of activist and graphic designer Fahmi Reza in Penampang, Sabah, over his caricature of Sabah governor Musa Aman.

Lawyer Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi, who heads the wing’s legal bureau, said the arrest does not align with values held by the present administration.

He also reminded the authorities that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim himself had said he did not believe Fahmi should be arrested or charged for caricatures critical of the government.

“Although there are parties who disagree with the message brought by Fahmi through his satirical images, PKR Youth takes the stand that criticisms through artwork such as satire should not be criminalised.

“Freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Federal Constitution must be protected so long as it does not trigger any public unrest.

“Therefore, PKR Youth urges for Fahmi to be released as soon as possible,” he said in a statement, adding that the wing is also prepared to provide legal aid.

Yesterday, Sabah police commissioner Jauteh Dikun confirmed Fahmi was arrested after being questioned over his caricature of Musa that was pasted on a wall in Asia City, Kota Kinabalu.

Fahmi’s caricature features Musa with his ceremonial headgear as Sabah’s governor, holding an RM100 note in his mouth.

An earlier version of this caricature also features the words “Sabah’s Number One Corruptor” in Malay.

Musa was appointed as Sabah’s governor on Dec 17 and will assume office beginning Jan 1, 2025. He previously faced 46 charges of corruption and money laundering but was ultimately acquitted.

DAP MP Lim Lip Eng also expressed regret over the police action on Fahmi, describing it as going against the spirit of reformasi promised by the Madani administration.

He said the arrest could be considered as an act of intimidation against those who have dissenting views.

“The government should also allow the public to voice their views, especially when it involves criticism against the authorities.

“Any act of stifling freedom of expression would only dent the government’s efforts to bring positive changes to the country,” the Kepong lawmaker said.

‘Aren’t those in power ashamed?’

Separately, Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi described Fahmi’s arrest under the Sedition Act and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 as deeply disappointing.

“(These are) laws that were previously opposed by the very people who now hold power.

“They seem to have forgotten how these laws were once used to suppress the voices of the people fighting against tyranny and abuse of power,” he said.

“Aren’t they ashamed that while breaking their promises and detaining activists, they still loudly chant ‘Reformasi’?” said Amir who stressed that authorities should instead arrest corrupted politicians.

He also echoed calls for the government to impose a moratorium on the use of the Sedition Act and Section 223 of the CMA.

Meanwhile, the rights group Aliran credited Fahmi for his artworks that highlighted scandals involving corruption and abuse of power.

“The misappropriation of public assets undermines the nation’s socioeconomic development and the people’s well-being.

“People have a constitutional right to peacefully express their concerns about such public interest issues, as Fahmi has done through his art,” said the group.

Aliran also echoed calls for investigations against Fahmi to be dropped.

Activist Fahmi arrested over Musa Aman poster

PM says can't stop cases involving royal critics, but against probe on Fahmi

COMMENT | Are we happy with new laws on media regulation?

'Satire not a crime,' Fahmi parodies Fahmi amid probe

Bersih calls for end to 'intimidation' of activists