KUALA LUMPUR – Legal group Lawyers for Liberty has sounded alarm over newly minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for police investigations against individuals criticising him.
In a statement, group director Zaid Malek said that it is “unacceptable” and “an abuse of power” for the prime minister, who holds no special lawful status, to turn to police to defend his reputation.
“Like all other citizens, should Anwar feel aggrieved by adverse comments, he must file a defamation suit in a civil court.
“The job of the police is to prevent crime, not to protect the prime minister from insult or criticism.
“If the police initiate criminal investigations into every accusation or insult to the prime minister, it will be a slippery slope towards authoritarianism,” Zaid said, urging for a stop to investigations against Anwar’s critics.
Yesterday, Anwar’s lawyers did, however, send a letter of demand to Hassan demanding an apology, retraction and written explanation of his claims to deny the alleged slander against the prime minister.
Lawyers for Liberty’s statement comes after PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil revealed that Anwar had instructed police to investigate those who allegedly made baseless accusations that threaten the country’s harmony. One of these is the claim that Anwar is an Israeli agent.
Subsequently, Royal Malaysia Police secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said in a statement yesterday that Bukit Aman has initiated probes into PAS’ Baling MP Hassan Saad, who accused Anwar of being an Israeli agent.
The case has been classified under Section 504 and 500 of the Penal Code for criminal intentional insult and defamation, respectively, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which concerns the improper use of network facilities.
Zaid noted that the probe into Hassan under the latter law goes against Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) own manifesto pledge to repeal the section.
“The fact that the police are apparently at Anwar’s behest is inappropriate and potentially unlawful. Will citizens now feel afraid to criticise the prime minister?” Zaid asked.
Zaid added that Anwar, who is also PH chairman, and others from the coalition should know the “illegality and dangers” of using police powers to defend the prime minister from insult or criticism.
This is because PH had been on the receiving end of similar police action under previous governments, particularly in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd financial scandal which PH had helped expose.
“This new coalition government must avoid the pitfalls and excesses of previous governments if they truly want to empower free speech and a robust democratic climate.
“No matter how objectionable or insulting the speech may be, criminal action cannot be the response,” Zaid said.
Prior to the statement by police yesterday, Putrajaya PKR Youth had lodged a police report urging the authorities to probe into allegations portraying Anwar, who is party president, as an agent of Israel.
Its chief Syazreen Ezam Saidi said the allegations, which played on racial and religious sentiments, threaten to tarnish Anwar’s reputation and the country’s harmony and sovereignty. – The Vibes, November 30, 2022
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