(MMO) – Police should not investigate Datuk A. Kadir Jasin for sedition and other "oppressive" laws that the government has said will be repealed, said lawyer Latheefa Koya.
Responding to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun's disclosure that investigations against Kadir were initiated under the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and the Penal Code, she said the police must act consistently with the government's reform agenda.
"The IGP must realise that Malaysia is no longer governed by the oppressive BN regime which had previously persecuted the people for merely exercising their right to free speech.
"Whoever is affected by Kadir's article should respond in a civilised manner and not resort to lodging police reports. It is also possible for these parties to file civil defamation suits but there is certainly nothing criminal in what he had written," she said.
Kadir previously disclosed that the government spent RM257 million for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's expenditure over 16 months.
He wrote another entry today defending his earlier post, telling critics he only meant to show how royals need no assurances beyond what the Federal Constitution provides.
Kadir Jasin To Be Investigated For Defamation, Says IGP
According to the Treasury, the government allocates only RM13.5 million annually for the Agong.
(TMI) – VETERAN newsman A. Kadir Jasin will be investigated for defamation and the improper use of network facilities over his blog post on the alleged expenses incurred by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, said the inspector-general of police.
Mohamad Fuzi Harun said three police reports have been lodged against Kadir, who is also Bersatu supreme council member.
"We have received three so far, in Selangor and Kelantan, and an investigation paper has been opened."
Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act criminalises the use of network facilities or network services by a person to transmit any communication that is deemed to be offensive and could cause annoyance to another person.
Section 233(3) states that upon conviction, a maximum fine of RM50,000, or a maximum one-year jail term, or both, can be imposed, as well as a further fine of RM1,000 for every day the offence is continued after conviction.
Section 500 of the Penal Code states that whoever defames another shall be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years, or a fine, or both.
He said those who slammed him should read his original articles on the subject.
"I leave it to readers to judge me, by reading and understanding my arguments on the matter.
"Read what I had written, and not what was extracted and processed by others."
He said his first article, in Bahasa Malaysia, was published in Sinar Harian on May 27, while his second article has been on his blog since June 4.
On using "disputable facts", Kadir said his critics are free to dispute and present the correct facts.
In a recent blog post, he said for 16 months until April this year, RM256.9 million had been allocated for use by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He did not state his source of information.
According to the Treasury, the government allocates only RM13.5 million annually for the Agong.
