The intimidation and harassment of bloggers has been taken one step further through police interrogation’s of the family members of bloggers, in this case the interrogation of Marina Lee, the wife of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin. As a further sign of the crackdown on freedom of speech in Malaysia, the Ministry of Internal Security, Ministry of Education, Ministry Culture, Arts and Heritage and the Youth wing of the ruling party UMNO have all threatened a Malaysian student in Taiwan, who produced a video of his rap version of the national anthem. The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned that these incidents are part of a clampdown on expression critical of the ruling coalition, particularly UMNO, in the run-up to the next general election.
On August 8, the wife of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was questioned by police about her husband’s website Malaysia Today, which UMNO alleges has insulted the Supreme Ruler, or Agong. Marina who has no connection with the blog other than through her husband, said that during the 40-minute interrogation, police were looking at jointly charging her and her husband.
ASP Alzafny Ahmad, one of the officers interrogating Marina, declined to comment to enquiries by CIJ. Raja Petra himself was subjected to police questioning for eight hours on 25
July following a police report lodged against him by UMNO.
On August 7-8, Malay tabloid Harian Metro carried full page reports attacking the student who produced a music video of the national anthem and uploaded it onto YouTube. The reports quoted the Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who said his ministry will recommend that the Attorney General take action against a Malaysian student for “disparaging” the national anthem . It also quoted threats of action by the Ministry of Internal Security and the Ministry of Education. The UMNO Youth website also carried article quoting its Education Bureau Chief Ahmad Ikhmal Ismail attacking the student and the music video.
The video is a rap version of the national anthem Negaraku in which the singer known only as “Namewee”, includes lyrics critical of the ruling coalition, its policies and police corruption. It appeared in YouTube in mid July and is reported to have been watched 400,000 times. However, on August 8 Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Najib Abdul
Aziz said in the national news agency, BERNAMA that the police cannot persecute the video producer as the video was produced abroad.
CIJ is concerned that the government’s action displays a disregard of democratic practices and fundamental liberties, including the freedom to dissent. By further aggravating dissatisfaction among Malaysians, the government is risking alienating the support it seeks for the general election.
We urge the government to take note of the risk and immediately stop action against citizens who voice dissenting views.
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.
Ends
Issued by
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
For more information, please contact Wai Fong at 03 40230772
Centre for Independent Journalism
27C Jalan Sarikei, off Jalan Pahang
53000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 4023 0772, 03 4024 9840
Fax: 03 4023 0769
Another example of government thighthening their strangle hold on the freedom of speech in cyberspace.Malaysians right to freedom of religion and speech are two most recent liberty and right violation by rising Taliban style of governance and enforcement in Malaysia.