KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN) has called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) to take stern action against international media companies who spread “disrespectful” news about the latter’s sexual orientation.
Hamzah claimed in the Dewan Rakyat today that after Anwar was appointed prime minister on November 24, an Italian news agency had published an article titled ‘First full-blown Homosexual Elected Prime Minister in an Islamic (Nation)’.
“This report has insulted (Anwar) and strict action must be taken. The government has a responsibility to inform the world that (Anwar) has received a royal pardon (for sodomy charges),” Hamzah said when debating Anwar’s motion of confidence.
“(Anwar) should fine the publication. Do not let things get to the point where the whole world believes that (Anwar) is a raging homosexual.”
Anwar was imprisoned over sodomy charges in 1998 and again in 2015. He was subsequently granted a royal pardon and released from prison in 2018.
Hamzah’s speech was interrupted at multiple points by government MPs, including R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) who loudly requested for the former to retract his “impolite and rude” assertions.
In response, Hamzah appeared to double down on his stand, saying: “(Anwar) should not only take action against those in the country. As a trading nation, Malaysia needs to present a consistent image.”
Later on, Hamzah said that while the Anwar-led Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition had advocated freedom of speech in the media during its 15th general election (GE15) campaign, the situation now seems to have taken a turn.
“Besides the craziness of suing anyone who criticises (Anwar), the government is also restricting the freedom of speech of youth on social media.
“The communications and digital minister had met with TikTok authorities to prevent the release of certain material that does not side with the government,” he alleged.
Hamzah was referring to Fahmi Fadzil’s (Lembah Pantai-PH) meeting with representatives from TikTok after GE15, following which it was revealed that the platform had blocked a total of 1,126 videos in the week after polling day for allegedly containing “extremist content”.
A total of 12 MPs are expected to debate the motion of confidence for Anwar, before it is put up for a vote later. – The Vibes, December 19, 2022
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