KUALA LUMPUR – The recent arrest and alleged mistreatment of activists are unnecessary and an excessive use of institutional intimidation to clamp down on freedom of expression, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a brief statement, Anwar slammed the government’s action, which he said is a desperate attempt to stamp out criticism and cling on to power.
“Malaysia has already seen its human rights and press freedom rankings decline under this current regime over unchecked abuse of power.
“The government must stop using draconian laws to silence critical views and differing opinions.
“To quote Voltaire: I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the end your right to say it. I call on the government to listen to the wisdom of the people.
“Hear them, and work for the people, not for yourselves.”
His criticism comes after the arrests of artist-activist Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin on Friday and seven individuals in Kg Muhibbahraya, Tawau, Sabah, on Saturday.
Just two hours after publishing a second “This Is Dengki Ke” playlist, this time on Apple Music, Fahmi Reza was arrested and brought to the Dang Wangi police station.
It was reported that he will be investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Sedition Act 1948.
Among the playlist’s 101 tracks are punk rock band Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen, rock band Queen’s Jealousy, the late John Lennon’s Jealous Again, Herlina Effendi’s Mengapa Hatimu Dengki, and Lou Monte’s Jealous of You.
The songs contain words like “jealous” and “dengki” either in their title or lyrics, or share the theme.
Choosing to name the playlists “This Is Dengki Ke” is understood to be a satirical take on an Instagram comment by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
The queen made the comment “Dengki ke? (Are you jealous?)” on April 19 after a netizen asked whether chefs at the palace have been vaccinated against Covid-19, following photos posted by the queen of dishes prepared by her and the palace’s kitchen crew.
As for those in Tawau, five activists were arrested outside Kg Muhibbahraya after staging a protest calling for the end of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) on the village.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the five men are local Tawau boys and believed to be a part of a group known as Borneo Komrad.
Later the same day, police picked up another two men in town.
They are being investigated for offences under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) Ordinance 2021, peaceful assembly act, and for disobeying orders to disperse.
Borneo Komrad leader Mukmin Nantang is one of the seven detained by police.
Relating the incident via his Twitter account, Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi said Mukmin told him that he was hit by authorities while in a van on the way to the police station.
“Not sure (how serious it was). We did not get to chat for long. What I know is that he was hit inside the van (on their way to the police station),” he told The Vibes.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali told The Vibes that police have not received a report relating to the alleged abuse.
He was later reported as denying the assault took place, saying an investigation into the issue is ongoing. – The Vibes, April 26, 2021
