YOURSAY | PN uses BN’s playbook to intimidate critics

YOURSAY | ‘Have they not learnt from BN’s mistakes? Do they think they are invincible?’

Cops to investigate Malaysiakini editor, Klang MP for sedition

Jamy: Mistakes were made by BN during their tenure as government by trying to use fear to intimidate the public, which did not work. Instead, the public rose up in 2018 against those in power.

Today, the same fear tactics are being used by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, especially Bersatu and PAS.

Have they not learnt from BN’s mistakes? Do they think they are invincible? Are they so assured of Malay support?

The Malays have been badly affected by the pandemic - many suffer loss of jobs and income. How many will still support such an incapable government - an administration that is responsible for the deaths of over 1,000 people due to their hunger for power?

Bersatu and PAS should seriously think carefully as Umno have withdrawn their support for the PN coalition.

They should look at history and learn that fear and intimidation can instead bring people together to resist them as seen in the raising of funds within a few hours for Malaysiakini. They are doing this at their own peril.

IndigoToucan1627: Why are police reports being made on these two individuals - Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan and Klang parliamentarian Charles Santiago?

Many have also made similar comments like the Bar Council, diplomats from the UK and Canada, as well as the European Union.

Jabba The Hutt: The RM500,000 collected by Malaysiakini in just over four hours struck a sour chord with those who earlier rejoiced over Malaysiakini's predicament.

Their joy was short-lived when the “people’s court” gave their verdict in support of the news site.

Oriole: Seriously? Are these frivolous claims being made by infantile individuals?

It will be more fodder for international agencies to hold against the country. Making a martyr out of the Malaysiakini editor, who is already seen as a symbolic victim of state persecution, is not a smart move, is it?

And going after an opposition MP who has spoken up for a perceived victim of state persecution is not democracy either.

So, is this what Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi meant about crumbling democracy? It is very possible that the next election will be won or lost based on how they are treating Malaysiakini.

Shadowplay: Like it or not, Malaysiakini is becoming more and more influential since its inception during the reformasi era.

They contributed to denying Umno/BN a two-thirds majority in Parliament, to Umno/BN losing the popular vote, to eventually the formation of the Pakatan Harapan government.

However, the Malay-based parties especially Umno, PAS, and Bersatu for reasons we can guess, still want to keep on holding to power by hook or crook.

They know Malaysiakini plays a very important role in providing independent news and information. Therefore, Malaysiakini is their main target.

Any openings will become their excuses. We need to be careful with our comments and not let anger overtake our choice of words. Don’t be provoked.

Dr Raman Letchumanan: Malaysiakini and Gan were the respondents (defendants) in the Federal Court contempt case.

Though Gan was acquitted, he is the editor-in-chief of Malaysiakini who has the primary responsibility for the news site. Is he not allowed to seek clarification, guidance, and solutions to abide by the court’s decision? Is he only allowed to praise the decision?

In any normal trial case on appeal, it is a standard phrase in every paragraph to say "the judge erred in law and fact, the judge failed to take cognisance, etc." Is that considered criticism or even possibly sedition?

Is the intention of the authorities to eventually close down the commenting function, and consequently relegate Malaysiakini as another one-way news media? Is it seditious for Gan to be concerned about this matter and raise questions?

I see this as potentially an abuse of the sedition law. Malaysiakini should invest the additional funds collected to seek clarity on this matter. I foresee more related police reports and court cases in the future.

By the way, is there a recourse for police reports lodged which turn out to be frivolous after the investigation so that the police can take action against those who lodged the report?

Police reports such as these have been coming by the truckload. They are a waste of taxpayers’ money. Not to mention the trauma suffered by the accused even though they are not guilty.

AnotherKomentar: This political persecution against Malaysiakini is precisely because the current PN government is only paying lip service to the rule of law, press freedom, and freedom of speech to suit their political agenda.

The attorney-general (AG) and the police know that the bulk of Malaysiakini supporters are urban voters who support the opposition.

As in most political discourse in recent years since the 2018 election, this case against Malaysiakini and its aftermath have been turned into an “us against them” propaganda with cynical racial overtones.

Their political message couldn’t be clearer - the Malays need to be united against the liberal non-Malay agenda.

Hang Babeuf: Truly appalling. But not surprising. As I remarked in an earlier comment:

"Like it or not, sensible or not, fair or not, just or not, Malaysiakini was held responsible - and will again be held responsible if there are any recurrences.

"More and worse, all sorts of 'restrictively-minded' people may now be emboldened to indulge themselves, and try their luck too, in some sort of defamation case against Malaysiakini for the offence that they may choose to take at some reader comments.

"And even worse still, some people - agitators and trouble-stirrers, and those with a taste for creating mayhem - may try to conduct some sort of 'false flag' operation and post a message that will be covertly intended to jeopardise Malaysiakini."

So, here we go again... The Malaysian merry-go-round keeps turning.

JayWai: I've always felt that there are those of a "certain group" who are bent on making police reports again and again to stir up hate and suspicion and all the while hoping that something will stick and someone will be charged.

And I see that this "certain group" are emboldened to act that way because there's virtually no law against this… or is there?

BlueCrab6133: It's not very far off in the future when we'll be making police reports against police reports.

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