Hadi free to criticise DAP, but not cross into slander, sedition - party leaders

 

DAP has long championed freedom of speech and expression, including the right to criticise those in power.

But with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang recently questioned by police over his writings against DAP, party leaders said there are limits to that right, particularly when remarks are allegedly seditious or could inflame racial and religious tensions.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, DAP assistant national publicity secretary Young Syefura Othman said the party remained consistent in defending freedom of expression as a pillar of democracy.

However, the Bentong MP stressed that freedom of expression was not a licence to make seditious statements or touch on 3R (religion, race, and royalty) issues in ways that could disrupt public harmony.

“Anyone has the right to lodge a report if they believe that a particular piece of writing violates the law, while the authorities are obliged to conduct the investigation professionally and independently.

DAP assistant national publicity secretary Young Syefura Othman

“Any differences in opinion or political criticism should be expressed through mature, fact-based, and constructive discourse, rather than through narratives that could divide Malaysia’s multiracial society,” she said.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng similarly said Hadi was free to criticise DAP, but this did not allow him to make unfounded allegations against the party.

He cited one of Hadi’s “Minda Presiden” writings, in which the PAS president accused DAP of wanting to get rid of the Malays and Islam.

“This is not ordinary criticism. The allegation itself contradicts DAP’s official stand where we defend the position of Islam, the Malay rulers, Bahasa Melayu, and the bumiputera as stipulated in the Federal Constitution,” Lim said.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng

The lawmaker also pointed out that 28 police reports were lodged against Hadi in 2022 after he linked non-Muslims and non-bumiputera to Malaysia’s corruption problem.

However, no prosecution has been brought against the PAS president to date, Lim said, questioning the delay.

“Hadi has the right to a fair legal process, but he does not have the right to immunity.

“The law must apply the same to everyone, whether they are the PAS president, DAP leader, or an ordinary citizen,” he added.

Rayer laments Hadi’s turn against DAP

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, meanwhile, expressed regret over Hadi’s accusations against DAP.

He recalled how Hadi once supported DAP and campaigned for its candidate Dyana Sofia Daud during the Teluk Intan by-election in 2014.

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer

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“However, all of a sudden, he is now attacking DAP, throwing all sorts of accusations that are racist in nature and risking religious and racial tension in our country.

“Freedom of speech cannot be used as an excuse to spread racial hate and slander. Can Hadi prove his claim that DAP wants to get rid of Islam and the Malays?” Rayer asked.

Over recent weeks, Hadi had used his column in Harakahdaily to criticise DAP, a party he described as continuing the “colonial legacy of marginalising Malays and Islam”.

The PAS president had also criticised Malaysiakini, describing the media outlet as a supporter of DAP and helping propagate the party’s “deviant teachings” (ajaran sesat) of secularism.

While it was confirmed by Hadi’s aide Syahir Sulaiman that he recently gave a statement to police in Kuala Lumpur, Syahir declined to specify which article he was questioned about. - Mkini