We celebrated World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May, 2008. Yesterday, we were greeted with the news that Raja Petra Kamarudin, the editor of Malaysia Today, has been charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 for his post here. Businessman Syed Akbar Ali was also charged under the same act for posting a comment on Raja Petra Kamarudin's site on 5th June, 2007.
Though some quarters aren't happy with his bravado, I got to respect RPK's rectifying actions. He has the guts to post allegations(??) against high-ranking officials. He is a victim of sadistic victimization. This is a political outrage to all bloggers....
This left me wondering...
-where is our freedom of speech as provided by Article 10 of the Federal Constitution??
- With regards to the Malaysian Bar Council statement that the use of the Sedition Act shows a severe encroachment on the fundamental freedoms as stated in the Federal Constitution, do these opressive legislations still have a place in a democratic country like Malaysia??
, left me hoping...
- that the Government of my beloved democratic country, Malaysia, would one day, repeal the Official Secrets Act 1972, Sedition Act 1948, Internal Security Act 1960, other opressive legislations and not forgetting, detention without trial.
, and left me wanting......
- to leave in a peaceful and multi-racial country where criminals are given a fair trial, and innocent people do not have to live in fear of being charged for expressing their thoughts and opinions.
But is there such a country in this world today?
I do not know because I am not well-versed in International Politics and Law.
But what I know is that this articulate man who spoke without fear or favour, but with proof, has chose to stay behind bars instead of posting the RM5000 bail to prove his point while pending the trial on his case on 6th October, 2008.
Like all brave bloggers, he is a man of words..He stood up for what was right.....
Nevertheless, I believe that ONE DAY, truth will prevail and justice will be done....
And we shall never be vilified, subdued, or subjugated by threats of intimidation.
Towards a BETTER Malaysia.
Side note- Taken from Malaysia Today: The Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI-Parliament) have prepared 4 documents supporting the Private Member’s Bill on Freedom of Information in Parliament. These documents are available for you to read here. There is also a petition calling for a Malaysian Freedom of Information Act. Please support the petition by signing it. Link here to find out more...Thank you.
Update on 8/5/2008: RPK has agreed to post bail.
Though some quarters aren't happy with his bravado, I got to respect RPK's rectifying actions. He has the guts to post allegations(??) against high-ranking officials. He is a victim of sadistic victimization. This is a political outrage to all bloggers....
This left me wondering...
-where is our freedom of speech as provided by Article 10 of the Federal Constitution??
- With regards to the Malaysian Bar Council statement that the use of the Sedition Act shows a severe encroachment on the fundamental freedoms as stated in the Federal Constitution, do these opressive legislations still have a place in a democratic country like Malaysia??
, left me hoping...
- that the Government of my beloved democratic country, Malaysia, would one day, repeal the Official Secrets Act 1972, Sedition Act 1948, Internal Security Act 1960, other opressive legislations and not forgetting, detention without trial.
, and left me wanting......
- to leave in a peaceful and multi-racial country where criminals are given a fair trial, and innocent people do not have to live in fear of being charged for expressing their thoughts and opinions.
But is there such a country in this world today?
I do not know because I am not well-versed in International Politics and Law.
But what I know is that this articulate man who spoke without fear or favour, but with proof, has chose to stay behind bars instead of posting the RM5000 bail to prove his point while pending the trial on his case on 6th October, 2008.
Like all brave bloggers, he is a man of words..He stood up for what was right.....
Nevertheless, I believe that ONE DAY, truth will prevail and justice will be done....
And we shall never be vilified, subdued, or subjugated by threats of intimidation.
Towards a BETTER Malaysia.
Side note- Taken from Malaysia Today: The Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI-Parliament) have prepared 4 documents supporting the Private Member’s Bill on Freedom of Information in Parliament. These documents are available for you to read here. There is also a petition calling for a Malaysian Freedom of Information Act. Please support the petition by signing it. Link here to find out more...Thank you.
Update on 8/5/2008: RPK has agreed to post bail.
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