PETALING JAYA: A lawyers group today warned against “mob rule” in the authorities’ reaction to allegedly insulting social media posts following the arrest of three individuals under the Sedition Act 1948 for remarks on Sultan Muhammad V’s resignation as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) voiced concern over situations where the authorities appear quick to react to “mobs” on social media demanding that action be taken on such posts.
“The authorities must be more discerning when reacting to viral messages on social media, especially if the alleged ‘insulting’ post has been exaggerated.
“To do so would be tantamount to mob rule,” LFL executive director Latheefa Koya said in a statement today.
Yesterday, police confirmed that Eric Liew Chee Ling, 46; Azham Akhtar Abdullah, 27; and Nur Alia Astaman, 26, had been arrested following reports lodged against them over their comments on social media.
All three are being investigated under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act.
Latheefa said the role of the police was to maintain public order and prevent crimes, “not to be the arbiter of what is an acceptable speech or post on social media”.
“The police must be able to differentiate impolite or even ‘insulting’ remarks that are not criminal in nature.
“It should only be an offence if the remarks are threatening or incite violence or a crime,” she said, adding that such cases should be investigated under the Penal Code.
She noted Pakatan Harapan’s heavy opposition to the Sedition Act during its time in the opposition, and questioned the continued use of the legislation in “Malaysia Baru”.
“This legislation is a legacy of the British Empire and clearly has no place in Malaysia, all the more so in Malaysia Baru,” she said. - FMT
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