Respect constitutional rights to freedom of speech, Bar urges authorities

The Malaysian Bar has urged the authorities to respect the constitutional freedom of speech, assembly and association of all Malaysians.

This comes after it was reported that activist Fadiah Nadwa Fikri is being investigated by the police under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over her social media post on the peaceful gathering at Dataran Merdeka on Feb 29.

Former Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan and activist Marina Mahathir are also currently under police investigation for their alleged involvement in the gathering.

“The freedom of speech, assembly and association is enshrined in Article 10 of our Federal Constitution.

“All Malaysians are entitled to this freedom irrespective of their political and ideological beliefs.

“All Malaysians have the right to express their views and concerns about the rapidly evolving political scenario,” said Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor (below) in a statement tonight.

He called for the police to exercise greater restraint when it comes to Malaysians exercising these rights in good faith.

Unwarranted restriction on these rights will cause the perception that the country is regressing.

“The Malaysian Bar strongly calls upon the authorities to respect the right of Malaysians to voice their views and concerns on the political climate of this country in an orderly and non-violent manner.

“The police, in their role as public peacekeepers, should facilitate such peaceful assemblies and gatherings and not skeptically view every legitimate exercise of our constitutional freedom of speech, assembly and association as a threat to public order."