KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the #MuhyiddinOut hashtag trending recently, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry said it will respect the people’s freedom of speech, as enshrined in the federal constitution.
“Discussions, comments, criticism and opinions concerning situations or issues form part of the rights and freedoms that are set out in Article 10 of the federal constitution. The government is committed to ensuring all people can practice those rights,” it said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.
The ministry was replying to a question by Akmal Nasir (PH-Johor Baru), who asked what the government’s view is on public criticism against the government and the #MuhyiddinOut hashtag trending on social media.
The ministry also qualified its statement, saying that, while open discussions must be maintained, it must be done in a civilised manner without breaking existing laws.
“The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) can take action under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 against individuals who misuse the internet to spread lewd, false, uncouth and threatening statements.
“If found guilty, a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or a maximum one-year prison sentence, or both, can be imposed.”
In October, #MuhyiddinOut went viral on social media after Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's televised address in which he urged Malaysians to abide by health SOPs, adding that “Abah will be forced to use the rotan”.
Netizens called out the prime minister for practising double standards, after Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Khairuddin Aman Razali was only fined RM1,000 for flouting quarantine orders.
It was around the same time that Muhyiddin was faced with attempts to unseat him from the top post. – The Vibes, December 11, 2020
