Putra moots harsher than ISA law to defend royal institution

 

Putra wants the government to introduce a new law that imposes strict action against individuals found disrespecting the Malay rulers, including empowering police to detain suspects without trial and mandatory whipping for repeat offenders.

Its president Ibrahim Ali said such a law is necessary to defend the sanctity of the royal institution, citing the recent rise in incidents against the Malay rulers, which he said could dangerously push the Malays to the brink of amok.

"This bill's mechanism should be similar to the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA), enabling a senior police officer to detain anyone who insults, mocks, or questions the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any of the Malay rulers.

"The police should be empowered to detain anyone who insults the royal institution for 14 days without a warrant, and can keep them for two years without trial.

"It should also allow suspects to be charged as committing a serious offence and face mandatory imprisonment and whipping," he said in a statement.

Ibrahim further suggested that the law provides authority for a quick action in dealing with digital content that insults the royal institution.

Differentiate academic discussion from insult

However, the former Pasir Mas MP said, the law must be crafted fairly, where it differentiates proper academic discussion from insult.

Discussions such as legal opinion, comments on policy, and academic debate that are done decently should not be punished, he added.

While Ibrahim did not specify any case, he said the party viewed recent incidents as "extremely dangerous" where Malay rulers could simply be insulted by "brainless, rude and uncivilised individuals”.

"Insults against the institution of the Malay rulers, especially through social media, are becoming increasingly bold, harsh, and disrespectful.

“Some mock royal decrees, make excessive sarcastic remarks, manipulate images, spread slander, and some hide behind the banner of freedom of speech to demean the nation’s highest institution.

"If this culture is not curbed immediately, it will become a cancer that erodes the people’s sense of decorum and could spark racial conflict," Ibrahim added. - Mkini