Freedom of speech: Fahmi tells Dr M to self-reflect before criticising

 

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been told to reflect on his past administration before talking about freedom of speech in the country.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the difference between the current government and Mahathir’s administration is akin to “heaven and earth”.

Fahmi (above, right) also said he “feels sorry” for Mahathir, seeing the veteran politician making a critique about freedom of speech while forgetting about his own rule.

“Aww… poor Mahathir. He still has the freedom to speak and no one is stopping him from making statements or attending events. He is still free to attend or not attend any event, and free to issue statements.

“The current administration is as different as ‘heaven and earth’ from his era,” Fahmi said during his weekly press conference in Putrajaya today.

Media silenced, protests quelled

Fahmi, who is also the Lembah Pantai MP, said he still remembers Mahathir’s approach to freedom of expression, including when faced with demonstrations.

He also recalled how newspapers deemed to be critical of the government were shut down by the authorities.

“People demonstrating on the streets were beaten, arrested, kicked and jailed,” he added.

In a recent blog post, after Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin was charged under the Sedition Act and in conjunction with Merdeka Day celebrations, Mahathir wrote that independence means being “free of being controlled by others, free of pressure, and free of government oppression”.

Recounting the fight against the British for independence, the 99-year-old politician claimed on Thursday that Malaysians today are still not free.

Anwar Ibrahim being taken to court following his sacking as deputy prime minister in 1998

Responding to Mahathir, Fahmi urged the two-time prime minister to recall his own ‘iron-fisted’ governance, particularly how he treated Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when he was his deputy.

“Twenty-six years ago, the deputy prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) was stripped of his position and subsequently hauled away, whether to court or beaten while in detention,” Fahmi said. - Mkini