Stop harassing ex-FMT journo, home minister tells public

 

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has urged the public to stop harassing former Free Malaysia Today journalist Rex Tan and his family.

The New Straits Times yesterday reported Saifuddin (above) as saying that the social media harassment, threats and doxxing of Tan’s personal details were “unwarranted” and had “crossed the line”.

Tan was arrested and detained past midnight on Friday under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, which relates to making statements with the intent to cause alarm or fear.

He is also being investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) following questions he posed to British politician George Galloway at a public lecture on Palestine in Kuala Lumpur.

His remarks, which attempted to draw parallels between Palestinians and the Chinese Malaysian community, have been criticised as deeply insensitive and racially charged.

“Using social media platforms to issue threats benefits no one. It only adds to the tension,” NST reported Saifuddin as saying.

He also reminded the public to respect personal boundaries while legal processes are ongoing.

Saifuddin said police had acted on reports lodged against Tan, as law enforcement is duty-bound to respond when complaints are filed.

Rex Tan (right) and his lawyer Rajsurian Pillai

He acknowledged, however, that the incident had raised concerns among media practitioners over what was perceived as heavy-handed action, including Tan’s overnight detention.

“At the same time, the message is that we must respect sensitivities in a multiracial country so that we can continue to live in peace and harmony,” Saifuddin said.

Rights group see red

Human rights and media advocacy groups recently condemned Saifuddin's justification for Tan’s arrest, which they described as “intimidation tactics” by the authorities, and a "disingenuous framing of state power”.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, the groups expressed serious concern over Saifuddin’s explanation that the police actions in Tan’s arrest were not an act of suppression, but merely “due process” to ensure compliance with the law.

On Jan 17, Bernama quoted Saifuddin as commenting on Tan’s arrest, saying that although he respected freedom of speech, such freedom should also come with responsibility.

He explained that police were required to take action when receiving complaints, and acknowledged how Tan and his former employer, Free Malaysia Today, had also publicly apologised for the journalist’s “racially insensitive remarks”.

Tan was released after a one-day remand, detained overnight at the Dang Wangi district police station lock-up. - FMT