There's a difference between freedom of expression and slander - Fahmi

Malaysia is ready to hear feedback from Amnesty International following the latter’s criticism of the government’s alleged failure to fulfil its commitments to reform laws that restrict the right to freedom of expression.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stressed that there is a difference between freedom of expression and slander.

“We acknowledge the concerns voiced by Amnesty International, but at the same time, there’s a difference between freedom of expression (and slander).

“(Freedom of expression) does not mean freedom to slander, which ruins the society and the country,” Fahmi told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

He was replying to a question about Amnesty International’s 2023-2024 State of the World’s Human Rights report launched yesterday, which said the Malaysian government has failed to fulfil commitments to reform restrictive laws, threatening civic space, and furthering rights violations.

Areas of concern for Malaysia include persistent issues of the death penalty, freedom of expression, police violence and custodial deaths, refugee and migrant rights, indigenous peoples’ rights, and the right to a healthy environment.

Evil slander

Fahmi said it is not an offence to criticise the government, but it should not be done via fake news.

He cited the example of “fake news” spread by pro-opposition influencers and supporters on social media, that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was suffering from an illness.

“That’s evil slander spread by certain individuals,” he said.

Fahmi further reiterated that to date, the Madani government has not arrested any journalist, or shut down any media companies.

“Journalists are free to write their reports. But we make a clear distinction between freedom of expression and slander.”

In September last year, the minister assured that the coalition government would not treat the media with an iron fist, as has happened in previous administrations. - Mkini