Hauling up media a serious affront to freedom of speech: Ramkarpal

GEORGE TOWN – Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said the Home Ministry’s move to summon Malaysiakini and the China Press for its accurate reporting is disturbing.

The Home Ministry had claimed that the articles in these media were inaccurate in relation to the remarks made by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah.

Acryl Sani had said recently that the rape incident was a joke. But it was not clear if he was referring to the rape itself or aspects of the investigations. His joke statement was published by the two news organisations.

A 17-year-old student has lodged a police report against her teacher who allegedly made jokes about rape.

“Firstly, it is unclear why the Home Ministry needs to get involved in this controversy since this is a matter that ought to be investigated by the police,” Ramkarpal, who is also the chairman of the National Legal Bureau of DAP, said in a statement.

“No doubt, the police come within the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry – but questions arise as to why such investigations are going to be carried out.

“To my knowledge, no police report has been lodged on the articles carried by Malaysiakini and China Press, and neither were they inaccurate,” he said.

Ramkarpal asked whether it is going to be a norm in the future for the Home Ministry to start investigations instead of the police.

“Secondly, it is to be noted that Bukit Aman Police corporate communication secretariat representative Skandaguru Anandan reportedly said yesterday that the police were taking the rape threat seriously and did not view it as a joke.

“It must also be noted that Skandaguru did not deny that Acryl Sani made such statements.

“To my knowledge, Acryl Sani himself has not come out publicly to deny he made such remarks or clarify in what context he made them.

“If the Home Ministry is going to start investigating as reported, it should summon Acryl Sani as well to confirm if he did or did not make such remarks and if so, in what context they were made, particularly since he himself has not denied it,” he added.

“In light of the above, I call on the Home Affairs Minister to confirm if Acryl Sani would also be summoned for his remarks failing which, it would be hard to dismiss the possibility that Malaysiakini and China Press are being victimised for reporting the truth.

“If the two news organisations are investigated, it would be a serious affront to freedom of speech and expression in this country,” said Ramkarpal. – The Vibes, April 28, 2021