BUKIT Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M Kumar has issued a stern reminder that freedom of speech is not a licence to spread insults or provocations.
“Freedom of speech is not a licence to spread statements containing insults, defamation, or provocation that could potentially threaten harmony, peace, and public order,” he said in a statement.
He also added that firm action will be taken against anyone who is found misusing any networks (social media) or applications for ‘illegal purposes’.
“Firm action will be taken against any individual found misusing any network facilities, network services, or application services for illegal purposes.”
Kumar referenced Section 3(1)(a) of the Sedition Act, which defines a “seditious tendency” as a tendency to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against any ruler or government.
Kumar did not speak about the alleged police actions against a woman known as “Jorjet Myla”, who is believed to have been on remand and is also under investigation over a video criticising Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Some reports stated that she is being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.
In the statement, he also mentioned CID statistics showing that from January to March this year, 30 cases were recorded and looked into under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act for actions that could harm the royal institution, different races, the justice system, and the government.
The punishment for the offence is a fine of up to RM5,000, a maximum prison term of three years, or both for first-time offenders.
In January, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Sedition Act is only used for cases involving insults to the royal institution and instances that threaten national sovereignty. — Focus Malaysia
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