The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is alarmed to hear that the police are investigating Malaysiakini and Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari over the news website’s report of the academic’s statement which raised issues in the Selangor Sultan’s recent decree regarding the controversial JAIS raid of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.
As an academic well-known for his research and interest in Constitutional matters, Prof Aziz would naturally be expected to comment on this issue and has done it in accordance with his professional obligations as well as exercised it as is his right.
Similarly, as a media organisation, Malaysiakini was only doing its job of reporting alternative perspectives to the story, such as that represented by Prof Aziz’s statement.
Apart from the police investigation, CIJ is at a loss as to understand why the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is investigating both Prof Aziz and Malaysiakini. If they’re being investigated under the Sedition Act, as per the original police report by Senator Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, the law should not prohibit questioning of actions of any royalty member. Surely, critiques against the monarchy’s exercise of their powers under the Constitution cannot by a long shot be defined as being disrespectful of Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy nor be seen as treason (derhaka).
CIJ deplores the continued unthinking and reactionary demonisation of dissenting voices that continue to blight Malaysia’s democracy, which is worse still taken seriously by the police.
The media and any critical citizen must be allowed to speak their mind on issues of public interest, especially in checking the powers of any institution, without being subjected to harassment from the authorities.
Issued by Chuah Siew Eng, CIJ programme officer
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.