What is freedom of speech?

 

YOURSAY | “Those in power interpret freedom differently, always to their advantage.”

COMMENT | A punishable freedom is not authentic freedom

Dr Peter Jebaseelan Jesudason: There is no clear understanding of what freedom of speech means in Malaysia. From my standpoint, based on Malaysian experience, freedom of speech is whatever the powers that be say it is.

By definition, it is inconsistent and shifts depending on who holds the reins of power.

This subjectivity has placed former Free Malaysia Today journalist Rex Tan in hot water for saying nothing seditious, while Dr Akmal Saleh, Umno Youth chief, fondly dubbed the party’s “mischievous child”, gets away with uttering incendiary remarks on race and religion.

The double standards are glaring. Until this reality is acknowledged rather than swept under the carpet, Malaysia will continue to suffer division, unbridled hypocrisy, and corruption.

For a Better World: Former deputy law minister Hanipa Maidin is absolutely correct in his discussion of the recent arrest of Tan and the applicable laws.

This clueless home minister and the police are extremely sensitive to a minor issue, while far more serious matters have been raised, publicly stated, and disseminated without consequence.

I had better be careful with my words here, or I too may be hauled up for raising this issue.

On another note, British politician George Galloway has been spewing hatred and engaging in crazy antics in the United Kingdom for more than a dozen years. A far-leftist liberal, he is known for stoking opposition and hatred against establishments worldwide.

Rarely does he offer solutions, except those that, in his mind, justify the oppression of humans. This is the very plague afflicting the world.

Letdown Since 2018: Freedom is a political tool used to garner support. There is no such thing as absolute freedom where laws exist to penalise. In a civilised society, fair protection should apply to all.

However, those in power interpret freedom differently, always to their advantage. There is no absolute right or wrong, only being in the right place at the right time, or the wrong place at the wrong time.

Others have repeatedly spread more seditious and toxic narratives on race and religion, yet remain protected or immune from legal action.

Drngsc: Freedom is a poorly defined concept introduced by the West to trap the East. Absolute freedom leads to chaos, while absolute control leads to authoritarianism.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is absolute freedom and 1 is absolute authoritarianism, the minister seems to believe Malaysia sits at around 5 or 5+.

Many of us would prefer 7 or 8. There must be a balance between freedom and control. I regret that the minister decided Tan crossed the line. I hope he can defend himself. All freedoms need to be defended.

Robbie98: Freedom of expression and a free press are certainly “ineffective, meaningless, and illusory” if Tan's case is any indication.

Galloway is a well-known divisive personality; his support for the Palestinian cause was likely the reason for his invitation.

In an open forum, questions will be asked.

Tan is a journalist doing his job. He did not wave a keris or raise a clenched fist.

Yet freedom of speech proved illusory, much like arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I hope the young man finds justice. I wish him well.

Apanama is back: One can disagree with Tan’s question, but it should not go so far as filing a police report against him. If you disagree, debate with him.

Making a police report is a cowardly move. Malaysia may be the only country in the world with the highest number of police reports lodged for flimsy reasons or disagreements: an attested idiocy (AI).

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail deliberately failed to address the issue of police reports being used to silence disagreement, instead blaming Tan for exercising freedom of speech, which he claimed must come with responsibility.

If I follow this logic and lodge police reports, I may need to file thousands for every disagreement I have on this forum.

This shows that society is not mature enough to accept disagreement, which should be discussed, debated, and decided and not suppressed through police action.

Hiding behind allegations of sedition and so-called sensitivities only exposes the level of education among those in power.

We also now know why our education system is supposedly “on par with Singapore and Japan,” as claimed by our incompetent education minister. The country has become a joke. - Mkini