The sideshow at the height of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 was Iraq’s information minister, Ali Hassan al-Majid, the notorious “Chemical Ali”, a moniker for ordering the gassing of more than 5,000 Kurds in the country’s north in 1988.
He later became known as “Comical Ali” for his infamous quotes after the US forces had annihilated the Iraqi army.
“The American louts fled. God will roast their stomachs in hell at the hands of Iraqis,” was among his most reproduced quotes.
He created lies and half-truths, most of which kept us amused despite the vagaries of war which resulted in the loss of lives.
Malaysian imitations
A decade later, many clones of the Iraqi minister appeared on the local scene, making vain attempts to defend then-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak over his involvement in the 1MDB saga.
Then communications minister Salleh Said Keruak was dubbed Malaysia’s Comical Ali for similar outrageous comments on the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
Many stood in line to say his or her piece, especially after Najib’s “my way or the highway” statement to cabinet colleagues.
“It is impossible for him to be involved in the company’s day-to-day operations. The management of 1MDB should be commended for its success in managing the company despite the pressure mounted by various parties that affected its reputation,” he had said.
MCA’s Wee Ka Siong said the PAC report showed that the prime minister was not behind the management of 1MDB.
“They were just pure business deals. We should learn from the weaknesses which have been identified and move on,” he said.
Malaysians are now being treated to local “Comical Ali” moments but some are not yet getting into the mould of Ali Hassan. If they try a bit harder, they may get there!
A new successor?
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil was in his element commenting on Malaysia’s slide by 37 points in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index published last week by Reporters Sans Borders (RSF).
“Being at 107, that for me, is still an unsatisfactory achievement but it’s not too bad either. In 2021, we were on the 119th rung; in 2022, we were ranked 113th.
“However, the current position is still good compared to the previous administrations,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
If that was not convincing, he came out with a blinder the following day.
He said the RSF Index was not the gold standard, which earned him an immediate and stiff retort from its Asia-Pacific bureau director Cedric Alviani.
“I would disagree with Fahmi’s statement that the RSF index is not a gold standard. We are the only ones with such a comprehensive global index for assessing press freedom.
“We base our assessment on the reality of the situation for journalists reporting on the ground. Malaysia has fallen by 10 points compared to last year, according to our respondents,” he told Malaysiakini.
If the RSF Index is not the gold standard, what is, YB? Are you going to judge it on the pats on your back that you get from party members and cronies?
If you continue blocking websites and making arrests and when the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) continues to lodge police reports against bloggers, do you expect to move up the index?
A zealous MCMC
Fahmi also defended the MCMC after it had lodged a report against Murray Hunter over his claim that the internet regulator and the police had become politicised institutions.
Hunter’s article titled “Chegubard’s arrest and charging is a warning to all Malaysians”, which MCMC said “seemed to be defamatory”.
If so, there are avenues through the civil courts, but why is the state getting involved? What’s so criminal about saying that and it is his opinion?
Rightly, the rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) criticised MCMC for their actions, saying that it was heavy-handed and unnecessary.
It also said a public body funded by taxpayers had no business complaining of defamation.
Fahmi said while LFL had the right to criticise MCMC, he was confident that the internet regulator did so after considering the legalities of it.
“I think MCMC will have (their own) perspective on the matter… I don’t think they’re being a bit too much,” Fahmi said.
“They have got legal grounds for the action they are pursuing. LFL can comment and criticise… Feel free to do so.”
But Hunter did the same - comment and criticise. Why then the police reports?
I agree that Section 233 of the MCMC Act makes it an offence to transmit any communication deemed offensive or could cause annoyance to another person.
But this provision should be used judiciously and fairly instead of what has been described as “selective persecution”.
On social media, there are hundreds of offensive statements made by politicians, wannabes, and self-appointed guardians of religions. Yet, no action is taken and even the police have classified them as NFA (no further action).
Buck stops with Fahmi
On April 7, Professor James Chin of the University of Tasmania posted a worrying note on his Facebook page. Reproducing a response from X, he noted: “Madani Govt is working hard to crack down on people like me...”
As a rejoinder, he posted a note from X which read: “In the interest of transparency, we are writing to inform you that X has received a request from MCMC regarding your X accounts that claims the following violates (the) law of Malaysia.”
He neither criticised nor commented. He forwarded and posted a video clip made by a group from East Malaysia. Why shoot the messenger?
In December, Fahmi denied requesting social media platform X to remove a post critical of him.
Fahmi said neither he, his office, nor his staff lodged any report on the matter, adding that the MCMC has the power to take any action without consulting him.
Is he looking after the boss and his interests? Or is criticism not allowed to be levelled against any minister or the Madani government?
As the minister in charge, Fahmi must be accountable for the actions of all agencies under his purview.
The buck always stops with the boss. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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