Environmental activist Shakila Zen has been summoned by the police over a social media posting which allegedly defamed the Pahang royal institution.
Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa) said the probe against Shakila (above) is being conducted under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA).
Section 500 specifies the punishment for defamation, which is imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
The CMA law deals with the improper use of network facilities and provides for a maximum one-year jail term or a maximum RM50,000 fine for a first time offence.
When contacted, Shakila’s lawyer, Zaid Malek, said the investigating officer of the case had informed him that the probe concerns his client’s May 10 Threads post, in which she ostensibly linked the Pahang royal institution to sand mining activities.
Kuasa added that Shakila’s statement will be recorded at the Pekan district police headquarters on Aug 7, with human rights defenders invited to attend a peaceful solidarity event at 11am outside the location.
“We cannot allow a culture of intimidation and silencing to become the norm in a society that upholds the principles of democracy.
“The people’s voice is not a crime,” it said in a statement yesterday.
‘Halt harassment’
Urging authorities to halt all forms of intimidation and harassment against environmental advocates, Kuasa also pressed for a guarantee on the public’s right to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and participation in decision-making processes related to the environment.
It affirmed that as a driving force which plays a key role in raising issues affecting vulnerable communities, its members should not be considered “enemies of development”.
“Instead, we play a role as part of the mechanism of checks and balances, ensuring that development is carried out responsibly, transparently and sustainably,” it said.
Responding to the case, other civil rights groups have also expressed their support for Shakila, with electoral watchdog Bersih affirming that the right to defend the public’s rights should be respected, not attacked.
Sharing similar sentiments, youth-led NGO Mandiri also slammed the police over their move to summon Shakila.
In 2021, Shakila received a package from an anonymous sender which contained a letter threatening an acid attack as well as a replica of a bloody severed hand.
One day later, she received a text message via WhatsApp with sexual elements, which had a picture attached about the spread of an indecent poster containing her personal details.
Shakila said then that the harassment and threats were linked to her talking about the July 31 #Lawan rally, which was held to protest the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the nation’s collapsing healthcare system under then-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.