Police have been slammed for arresting a man who allegedly insulted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Lawyers, including former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan, said such action should not be taken under the new government.
"The police need to appreciate that we have a new government now. One that has promised to open up democratic spaces. If he is arrested just for criticising the PM then it goes completely against everything that the new administration has promised.
"Perhaps the police are acting out of habit. They will have to break that habit and realise that things are very different now," Ambiga told Malaysiakini.
Lawyer Syahredzan Johan concurred and said police "should not be overzealous in taking action."
Langkawi police today arrested a man for his Facebook postings that allegedly insulted the prime minister.
'A a waste of police resources'
Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen said the arrest was a waste of police resources.
"I hope Mahathir will tell the police that he doesn't need their 'protection' from social media comments.
"Mahathir has got real governance to do, and I hope the police would no longer waste resources investigating such frivolous cases," Paulsen said.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the police should release the man immediately.
"I'm sure Tun (Mahathir) would want the release of this person. He has been called so many nasty names before, like mahazalim (most cruel) and mahafiraun (great pharoah)... he has always just laughed it off," Syed Saddiq said.
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang made a similar call on Twitter, saying " Release him. Let us not embark on this path."
Syed Saddiq said the arrest was carried out because of the "Najib-era" law "Akta Sakit Hati" (Hurt Feelings Act) - a term coined to describe the Communications and Multimedia Act.
The Bersatu Youth chief said he looked forward to the sitting of the new Parliament so that such laws could be repealed.
PKR vice-president Tian Chua said the arrest showed that the police force needed to undergo reforms. -Mkini
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