LAWYER Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali who often represents political figures critical of the Madani administration has slammed the police for allegedly detained and remanded TikToker Emeela Mat Sam for uploading a video critical of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Apparently the Seketul Jorjet Myla account owner is being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 for having implied in a 3 minutes and 14 seconds clip that judging from recent developments, “it would be better for PMX to become an Opposition leader (once again)”.
Emeela made her opinion known in a TikTok video which has since been taken down (while her account is no longer accessible) in response to PMX having remarked that today’s opposition front is “stupid”, “ignorant” and “not smart”, among others.
“Are Malaysians no longer allowed to speak out (their mind)? Didn’t PMX say he don’’t mind being criticised?” jibed Rafique who is also the Pejuang information chief in a Facebook post.
“But he himself was criticising at will the previous government when he was in the opposition. It’s time for the rakyat to look after the rakyat.”
Later in a FB Reel during a solidarity gathering for Emeela at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters (IPD) last night (April 13), Rafique hit out at the authorities that the TikToker “made no mention of rallying the rakyat to overthrow the government nor in anyway had insulted PMX or even the Malay rulers”.
‘Think twice before speaking out’
“The bebalism (stupidity label) concept orchestrated by PMX today is reminiscent of his past actions during petrol and diesel prices spike till the then PMX-led opposition resorted to staging their protests by rolling on the roads,” recounted Rafique who currently runs his own legal service under Law Practice of Rafique.
“Yes, the right to express oneself is not absolute, there are limits but is it to the point that the rakyat need to be detained for investigation?”
“To PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police), remember that those in power have also fallen before or will not remain PM forever.”
Meanwhile, PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari chided the Madani government for creating a culture of fear in the society where every rakyat has to think twice before speaking out”.
“This is very dangerous because it weakens the checks and balances that are the foundation of democracy,” fumed the Pasir Mas MP in a Facebook post.
The government should respond to criticism with arguments and openness, not with detention and legal pressure.
It’s also reasonable to ask: is this a sign of a government that is increasingly losing its way and will eventually fall?
Don’t be surprised if the situation reverses to the past when the law was used to suppress (the rakyat) and eventually many people are forced to be escorted to the courthouse after the election.”– Focus Malaysia
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