Malaysian government is stepping up its clampdown on bloggers. Within a time period of three days, a blogger was investigated for publishing a photomontage, and another blogger was remanded by the police for four days over a comment posted on his blog. On the same day that the blogger, Nathaniel Tan was remanded, the deputy internal security minister Johari Baharum reportedly said that he had asked police to initiate investigations against writers who were “spreading lies through websites”. The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemns the deputy Internal Security Minister, Johari Baharum’s instruction to investigate bloggers. This order breaches the Federal Constitution’s protection for freedom of expression.
On July 14, the national news agency, BERNAMA reported that the deputy minister said he had instructed the police to trace writers who publish lies online. The minister was quoted as referring to writings that criticize government leaders. In March, an anonymous website accused Johari Baharum of accepting bribery for the release of criminals detained under the Emergency Ordinance. He was investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency and was reportedly cleared of the charge on July 12.
Police suspected that Nathaniel possessed documents on Johari’s alleged corruption, and remanded him for 4 days on July 14 under the Official Secret Act (OSA), having detained him since July 13. According to Nathaniel’s lawyer Latheefa Koya, the investigation stems from an anonymous comment posted on Nathaniel’s blog, jelas.info, that links to the website accussing Johari of corruption.
CIJ is deeply concerned that the minister’s instruction to police is the start of the government going tough on online critics, particularly those from the opposition. Nathaniel Tan and Tian Chua, who is being investigated by the Multimedia and Communication Commission (MCMC) regarding the photomontage in his blog, are the staff and Information Chief respectively for the opposition party People’s Justice Party (PKR).
The deputy minister’s instruction smacks of vengeance against bloggers and shows total disregard for freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution. CIJ is worried that the minister’s instruction and the remand of Nathaniel Tan will spread fear among bloggers. Clamping down on expression and free flow of opinion is against the Prime Minister’s promises of open governance, transparency and integrity. This creates a perception that the government does not uphold its promises, and will tarnish the image of its leaders further.
We urge the government not to take action against bloggers and online writers and to release Nathaniel immediately.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a media organization that aims to improve current Malaysian journalism practice and independence through advocacy, research and analysis, training and practical work. Started in 2001, CIJ has initiated various projects in developing grassroots communications skills through training, infrastructural support and direct action.
Issued by
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
For more information, please contact Wai Fong at 03 40230772
hello nathaniel, i have been monitoring this story and you’re plight since it first broke in the press before your arrest and continue to watch it unfold with little or no reaction to speak of from the general public. why? whatever happened to the constitution that was painstakingly and carefully created at the very birth of this country? the irony’s not lost on this, the 50th anniversary but more importantly where are “the people?” have you thought about this? ..that they don’t really care..? how does one create interest and active participation in one’s own fate? development is a multi-facetted condition, there’s a lot more to it than the narrow albeit important role of “economic development”-which “the haves” seem to have well in hand. the cause you have captained is quite complicated as you probably realise but the reactions so far from all sides has been rather simple and very predictable indeed.. perry aka ‘the ambigous rhetorical rambler’