MCMC's 'blurred photo' creates 'criminal perception', Muda member lodges report

A Muda member under investigation over a video criticising MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has lodged a police report, alleging that authorities created a negative perception of him by recording and circulating his image.

Former Muda information chief Luqman Long said the blurred photo of him and his lawyer, Nurainie Haziqah Shafii, included in a statement by the MCMC, gave the impression that they were criminals.

He said this was despite them fully cooperating with investigations into his video criticising Azam.

“From the first day I was called in for questioning over content related to the Azam issue, I attended with my lawyer and gave full cooperation.

“However, the contents of the media statement that MCMC issued yesterday also prejudiced my lawyer and me. Our faces were blurred as if we were criminals,” he told reporters after lodging the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters today.

Yesterday, MCMC said it had opened an investigation into an individual for uploading TikTok content allegedly containing false information about the MACC and Azam, which drew flak from Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, who described the video as containing facts that had already been publicly shared.

The anti-graft agency said it had recorded the suspect’s statement and seized communication devices to assist in the investigation.

The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

‘Waste of time’

Luqman further said the investigation against him was a waste of time and public funds.

“When I speak about the Azam scandal, I get investigated. Azam is not investigated.

“When I talk about misconduct in the government, I get investigated. This is a waste of time,” he said.

At the same press conference, Amira, who is also Luqman’s wife, raised concerns over alleged abuse of enforcement agencies, including MCMC and the police, claiming there were conflicts of interest in certain appointments linked to oversight institutions.

She urged the government to stop using enforcement agencies as political tools and questioned the investigation of individuals critical of the government.

Amira also alleged a conflict of interest within MCMC’s leadership, which she said warranted scrutiny due to links with other agencies such as MACC.

“One thing I want to ask of the government, especially the Pakatan Harapan administration, is to stop using enforcement bodies as their political tools.

“Right now, if we look at existing enforcement bodies, they have become like Azam’s bodyguards.

“You are using all enforcement agencies to protect Azam. I raised this issue the other day, and I want to raise it again. What is it about Azam that makes him so untouchable?” she asked.

‘Speak up’

Luqman urged young Harapan leaders to speak up on investigations involving activists and individuals who openly criticise the government.

He claimed there had been no open support from Harapan MPs for those being investigated over criticism of the government.

“Since activists were remanded for speaking out on the Azam issue, since Malaysians have been detained under the Sedition Act, and since I was called up by the MCMC, not a single Harapan MP has spoken up,” he said.

He also questioned the role of Harapan’s young leaders, who were previously active in reform movements but are now allegedly silent on issues of free speech.

“Back then, you were on the streets. Now that you are in government and positions, you have gone quiet,” he claimed.

Luqman listed several young Harapan leaders who were once active in student and reform movements, claiming they no longer play the same role.

According to him, young leaders should be progressive voices on issues of free speech and transparency, rather than waiting until they leave government to speak out again.

He added that the silence among young government leaders could affect the reform movement they once championed.

“Where is Syahredzan Johan, who used to be a human rights activist? Where is Young Syefura Othman, who once shared the stage with Azam? Where are young leaders from PKR - Adam Adli Abd Halim, Kamil Abdul Munim?

“You are supposed to be the voice for all of us, progressive voices. Now you have become the mouthpiece of old politics.

“As for Amanah leaders, as I mentioned before, I still struggle to identify who their young leaders are, but please speak up on these important issues.

“Don’t wait until you become the opposition again before returning to a reformist mode. By then, it will be too late,” Luqman said.

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