Stop arresting those who insult me, Dr M tells cops again

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reiterated his call for the police to cease arresting those who hurl insults at him.

Speaking to reporters in Putrajaya this morning, he said insults would not affect him and politicians must accept criticism.

“That thing (arrest) shouldn't happen. I don't mind being insulted by anybody, it's not going to affect me. There was one case in Penang and I told them (the police) not take any action on them.

“A politician must accept being criticised, being called names,” he added.

He was asked to comment on the recent arrest of Azman Noor Adam under Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948 for spreading images that allegedly insulted Mahathir on social media.

Azman's brother, Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam, previously criticised Pakatan Harapan for not objecting to the arrest, saying that in the past, the coalition's leaders had cried foul when the police used the Sedition Act against them.

Following this, Deputy Law Minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin and several government lawmakers have decried the use of the law on Azman.

Previously, Mahathir had defended the need for the Sedition Act.

Four years ago, he warned that repealing the Act would lead to chaos as Malaysians would be free to incite hatred while “extremists” would call for the dismantling of the royal institution.

Meanwhile, Selangor CID chief Fadzil Ahmat told Malaysiakini that investigations regarding Azman's posting have been completed.

However, he declined to comment on the prime minister's remarks, saying that it was a policy matter.

"What I can say is that we have completed the investigation, and he (Azman) had been released on police bail yesterday evening.

"Police are waiting for further instructions from the deputy public prosecutor," he told Malaysiakini.

Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah has called for a moratorium on the use of the Sedition Act 1948 whilst Pakatan Harapan moves to abolish it.

Meanwhile, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has demanded an explanation from Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun as to why the law continues to be used.

Back in May, Langkawi police had also detained a man under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for allegedly insulting Mahathir on Facebook.

-Mkini