Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali has pressed the government on when it will stop “abusing” the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and abolish the Sedition Act 1948, after his client Badrul Hisham Shaharin was arrested today.
He criticised the arrest of the Bersatu leader better known as Chegubard, calling it the government’s response to criticism.
“If this is not intimidation, what can we call it?” he said during a press conference outside the Dang Wangi police station this morning live-streamed on the YB Viral YouTube channel.
According to Rafique (above, right), Chegubard was being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
The Bersatu member had posted screenshots of reports from Bloomberg about the government being in talks with Berjaya Corporation Berhad and Genting Malaysia Berhad to build a casino in Forest City, Johor.
Rafique said Chegubard was arrested following a report by an individual who had come across his post.
Chegubard is expected to be freed tomorrow.
Battle continues
"My client is ready to 'keep fighting'. The government must answer for this (issue).
"The local authorities, such as the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), and the Home Ministry must probe how foreign news organisations can put (sic) big names in their report.
"This is not a normal matter as it involves gambling, which is prohibited in Islam," Rafique added.
He further questioned why Chegubard was arrested when the latter had always cooperated with the authorities.
Genting Malaysia and Berjaya have refuted any role in discussions to open a second casino in Forest City.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did the same and urged all parties mentioned in the report to consider taking necessary action against the news agency. - Mkini
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