Speech freedoms interrupted as enforcement agencies apply dubious standards

Former Member of Parliament for Nibong Tebal Tan Tee Beng, who had posted on Facebook questioning Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s son’s “expensive” Givenchy designer jacket worn during a flight to Australia, was investigated by two officers from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) who came to his house, and alleged that he was using a high frequency device which disrupts phone signals nearby.   

During the Cameron Highlands by-election, photographs of a woman wearing a red Pakatan Harapan shirt allegedly handing out money to the Orang Asli have gone viral on social media. DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, even admitted that Pakatan has indeed given out money, and the woman involved is a DAP volunteer. However, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has indicated its intention to investigate online accounts that have circulated these pictures.

Tan Tee Beng’s incident did not come to an end after the “high frequency device” was confiscated. He was later called to record a statement at a police station in Putrajaya.

We cannot help but ask: Tan Tee Beng only uploaded a photo of Lim Guan Eng’s son on social media, questioning his outrageously-expensive jacket. What crime has he committed? We also wish to ask why the individuals handing out money to voters during the by-election were not dealt with, but those who exposed the alleged bribery were investigated instead. What is the standard of authorities here?

We also wish to ask why the "new Malaysia" advocated by the Pakatan government is constantly creating bogeymen and fears on social media, as well as suppressing the freedom of speech, prohibiting people from monitoring the actions of the ruling party, especially that of electoral violations or pretentious moves.

Under a real democratic system, freedom of speech is also endowed by the Federal Constitution. Pakatan Harapan has been in power for more than eight months and has used all means to suppress the media and opposing voices. This is a betrayal of the people!

Lau Chin Kok
MCA Central Committee Member

-MCA online-