Monday 3 July 2023

The wisdom behind ‘There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech’

 No News Is Bad News

The wisdom behind ‘There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech’

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4, 2023: Whatever you think of the late Ugandian dictator Idi Amin, there was at least something that he said that was universal.

Idi said: “There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech.”

Whether you like it or not, that is the truth and reality of the world. And there is no such thing as absolute freedom of speech - not even in the world’s biggest democracy, the United States of America (USA).

In the US, even those who spill the beans on the Government for truth and justice are chastised. No?

Remember Edward Snowden, the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations?

(Definition of whistleblower - a person who informs on a person or organisation regarded as engaging in an unlawful or immoral activity.)

It is, therefore, heartening to note that the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Razarudin Husain, has urged politicians to stay clear of issues that touch on race, religion and royalty (3R) when campaigning for the elections in six states due soon.

“Sensitive issues related to the 3Rs can cause disharmony in communities. The Federal Constitution does provide for freedom of speech, but not when it comes to sensitive issues that can divide communities,” Razardsin was quoted as saying by Kosmo (a Bahasa Malaysia newspaper).

The IGP is absolutely right because in multi-racial-multi-religious communities, sensitive matters must not be allowed to be politicised nor used to score political points.

In multi-racial-multi-religious Malaysia, or for that matter in any country, national unity and harmony cannot be compromised for a prosperous socio-economic future.

As for the royalty, just recite, respect and adhere to the Rukun Negara that is taught in schools:

So, all Malaysians must adhere to the Rukun Negara, including racial and religious bigots on both sides of the political divide.

Razarudin warned that police would not hesitate to take swift action under the Sedition Act and Election Offences Act if anyone was found committing offences in campaigning for the state elections.

Malaysians pray he will walk the talk to protect/defend the rakyat dan negara (people and country) and the Federal Constitution.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below what the IGP was reported to have said and past blog posting:

Freedom of speech not for divisive issues, says IGP

The inspector-general of police reminds politicians to stay clear of 3R issues when campaigning for the state elections due soon.

FMT Reporters - 03 Jul 2023, 11:57pm

National police chief Razarudin Husain says police will not hesitate to take action against sedition and election offences. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain has urged politicians to stay clear of issues that touch on race, religion and royalty when campaigning for the elections in six states due soon.

Razarudin said sensitive issues related to the 3Rs could cause disharmony in the community, Kosmo reported.

“Political parties are (led by) veterans and they already know that I would advise them not to touch on sensitive issues related to the 3Rs.

“The Federal Constitution does provide for freedom of speech, but not when it comes to sensitive issues that can divide the community,” he said after attending a briefing at the Penang police headquarters on preparations for the elections.

He warned that the police would not hesitate to take swift action under the Sedition Act and Election Offences Act if anyone was found making these offences in campaigning for the state elections.

He said police had zone officers who will be monitoring the election campaign and recording speeches made at ceramahs.

Razarudin said some 40,000 policemen and officers will be on duty throughout the elections in Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

Monday, 3 July 2023

Time for the King to act against Dr M, 'Malaysia’s No.1 public enemy'

 No News Is Bad News

https://youtu.be/ZdLqKmXhLhg (Setia Perpaduan)

Time for the King to act against Dr M, 'Malaysia’s No.1 public enemy'

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3, 2023: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shahprior to forming the current Unity Government (UG) in November (2022), had an idea for a song of unity.

His Majesty asked veteran singer-songwriter DJ Dave to compose a patriotic song like the 36-year-old classic “Setia” (loyal or loyalty) that had soared like a second national anthem.

Dave said he was told to compose a song that encouraged people to abandon inequality and embrace each other as one.

The King was that worried and concerned in August for the future of Malaysians (his subjects) and Malaysia prior to the 15th General Election (GE15).

As the King, he has no political ambitions but for the welfare of his subjects and country - knowing very well that political stability, national unity and harmony are prerequisites of a healthy and prosperous country.

His worry and concerned were with basis and wisdom when GE15 concluded with a hung 222-seat Parliament with the Taliban-like PAS winning 49 seats, DAP 40, PKR 31, Umno 26, Bersatu 25 and PBB 14.

222 OF 222 PARLIAMENT SEATS

13.514%

36.486%

33.333%

0%

2.703%

10.36%

3.604%

BN 30 PH 81 PN 74 GTA 0 GRS 6 GPS 23 OTHERS

8

Hide Details 

PARTIES

WON

CONTESTING

PN - PAS

49

70

PH - DAP

40

55

PH - PKR

31

104

BN - UMNO

26

120

PN - BERSATU

25

81

GPS - PBB

14

14

PH - AMANAH

8

50

GPS - PRS

5

6

GRS - SABAH BERSATU

4

6

WARISAN

3

52

BN - MCA

2

44

IND

2

108

PH - UPKO

2

5

GPS - PDP

2

4

GPS - SUPP

2

7

BN - MIC

1

10

PBM

1

5

MUDA

1

6

KDM

1

7

GRS - PBS

1

4

GRS - SABAH STAR

1

2

BN - PBRS

1

2

TOTAL SEATS

222

945

For more statistics, go to https://election.thestar.com.my/ 

Malaysia was saved from a possible Taliban-like rule when the King managed to get Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR, DAP, Umno and, the Sarawak and Sabah political blocks to form a UG.

Today, Dr M - whole governed Malaysia for a total of 26 years as prime minister - is an ungrateful Malaysian, taking the lead to spew racial and religious venom to help PAS and PN win in the six state elections and in the next GE.

A concerned Malaysian Adnan D has penned a letter, published by online news portal Free Malaysia Today, for the UG to put an end to Dr M’s venom and lies.

No News Is Bad News appeals to the King to take the lead to end the racial and religious venom spewed by politicians on both sides of the political divide by making an example of the “ungrateful to the nation” Dr M.

Start with stripping Dr M of all his federal awards/titles:

Put an end to Dr M’s venom and lies

Action should be taken against the former prime minister over his incendiary statements which stab decency in the back.

Letter to the Editor - 03 Jul 2023, 10:20pm

 

From Adnan D

I read Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s latest tweets and watched the former prime minister’s recent press conferences. Why on earth does he talk with so much hatred and lies? It is unbelievable.

Who told him people want the name of Malaysia changed? Or that the “other races“ wanted to take over? Please give us evidence.

A bigger question is why do the Malaysian media give a platform for a “has been” politician to spew venom when he should have retired. Why encourage such hatred and bigotry when it’s obvious he is dying for attention?

Action should be taken against Mahathir. He should be banned from making public statements. His passport should be taken away. Enough is enough, lest he destroys Malaysia.

I suppose the current government is concerned about taking to court a man who is nearly 100 years old. He could end up in jail and be turned into a martyr.

But we should not let age be a deciding factor. If someone spews venom, it has to be dealt with.

You cannot let Mahathir and Abdul Hadi Awang for that matter – who has been blaming non-Muslims for various things – to keep stabbing decency and civility in the back.

The government must not tolerate such behaviour on account of their age.

Why put at risk the happiness of over 30 million peace-loving Malaysians just to “save face” of two politicians?

If this is not insanity, I don’t know what is.

 Adnan D is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

https://youtu.be/ZdLqKmXhLhg (Setia Perpaduan)

The King, DJ Dave, and a song of unity

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong desired a song for people to embrace each other as one, and the veteran singer delivered a memorable melody.

Frankie D'Cruz - 18 Jun 2023, 7:00am

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in discussion with DJ Dave (right) at Istana Negara. (DJ Dave pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Months before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah formed the unity government, and installed the prime minister, he had an idea for a song of unity.

Last August, the King asked veteran singer-songwriter DJ Dave to compose a patriotic song like the 36-year-old classic “Setia” (loyal or loyalty) that had soared like a second national anthem.

Dave said he was told to compose a song that encouraged people to abandon inequality and embrace each other as one.

He said: “The Agong stressed that loyalty made unity possible, and that it will only happen if we are aware that one people and one nation means we rise together as a people.

“Tuanku wanted the song to be first sung in Bahasa Melayu, followed by the singers, representing every major ethnic group, singing in their own dialect,” he said.

Dave said the King’s call for a song about harmony and stability came long before the unity government was formed, and marked the start of the making of “Setia Perpaduan” (loyal unity).

The upbeat “Setia Perpaduan” eventually became the theme song of the national unity week celebration, launched by Sultan Abdullah in Kuching last month.

It was composed by Dave, with lyrics by national laureate Professor Lim Swee Tin and musical arrangement by S Atan.

Don’t just talk Loke: Take Dr M to court, get a restraining order to stop him from further slandering DAP and Malaysians

 No News Is Bad News

Mr Loke! Do you think Dr M will heed what you and DAP say?

Don’t just talk Loke: Take Dr M to court, get a restraining order to stop him from further slandering DAP and Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3, 2023: Of all the people, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke should know better what Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Dr M) is about and his character.

Does anyone really think that he will listen or heed anyone’s call?

The lack of legal action against Dr M over the years has emboldened him to the extend that he now feels he is “untouchable”, and thus can spin lies about anything he wants just to serve his personal political agenda.

He is out to create unrest among extremists with racial and religious rhetoric to shatter national unity and harmony among Malaysians aimed at destabilising the Anwar Ibrahim-led Unity Government.

Mr Loke! Are you a political greenhorn? If not, why are you wasting time giving lip-service, What is preventing you from taking concrete action to defend the Federal Constitution for peace-loving Malaysians?

No News Is Bad News reproduces below Loke’s lip-service:

Irresponsible of Dr M to accuse DAP of plotting to remove Islam as official religion, says Loke

 

By TARRENCE TAN

NATION

Monday, 03 Jul 2023

8:11 PM MYT

 

PETALING JAYA: It is irresponsible of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to accuse DAP of pressuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim into removing Islam as the official religion of the country, says Anthony Loke.

The DAP secretary-general also described Dr Mahathir’s accusations as baseless, where the nonagenarian allegedly said DAP, with 40 parliamentary seats, is threatening Anwar into making Malaysia a secular country with no official religion.

“I sternly repeat DAP’s stance that all DAP MPs will defend the Federal Constitution, which includes respecting the position of Islam as the religion of the federation and at the same time, other religions can be practised peacefully as enshrined in Article 3(1) of the Constitution,” said Loke.

“DAP has never and will never question the position of Islam as the religion of the federation as stated in the Federal Constitution,” added Loke.

Loke said he was disappointed with Dr Mahathir’s remarks, questioning if the former premier was threatened by the 42 DAP MPs during his tenure between May 2018 and February 2020.

“Has DAP ever retracted support for him or threatened his position?” Loke asked.

Loke said since Malaysia achieved independence, the country was well known for its diverse society living peacefully.

“Did Tun forget about his vision to create a Malaysian race through Wawasan 2020? Why is he taking such a stance of being enemies with other races?” asked Loke.

Loke said DAP will never be enemies of any races and the party will continue serving the county to create a united society based on the principles of Rukun Negara.

“Dr Mahathir doesn’t have to worry. Malaysia will always remain as a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under the unity government,” Loke added.

Dr Mahathir, in a statement on Monday (July 3), said it was unconstitutional to promote a multiracial country, as the Federal Constitution never mentioned that Malaysia was a multiracial country.

“Instead, the Constitution stressed a Malay- Malaysia,” said Dr Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir was responding to Bukit Gelugor Umno information chief Huzaidi Husin’s call for him to stop fanning racial sentiments.

Dr Mahathir then took a further swipe at the current Cabinet line-up.

“Yes, DAP only has four ministers. But within the government, there are 40 DAP MPs. If DAP retracted support, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government would collapse.

“That is why Anwar has to follow DAP’s manifesto, specifically making multiracial Tanah Melayu and replacing the official religion of Islam with a secular country and a country without an official religion,” added Dr Mahathir. - The Star

Promoting a multi-ethnic country unconstitutional, claims Dr M

Dr Mahathir Mohamad responds to Bukit Gelugor Umno information chief Huzaidi Hussin’s calls for him to stop dividing the nation.

FMT Reporters - 03 Jul 2023, 3:25pm

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the Federal Constitution never described Malaysia as a multi-ethnic nation.

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has claimed that promoting a multi-ethnic country goes against the Federal Constitution.

In response to Bukit Gelugor Umno information chief Huzaidi Hussin’s calls for him to stop dividing the nation by playing with racial sentiments, Mahathir said he was only defending the Federal Constitution by citing its provisions.

“On the contrary, promoting a multi-ethnic country is against the Federal Constitution,” he said in a tweet.

Mahathir also questioned whether the current government is disregarding the rule of law as Malaysia was never described as a multi-ethnic nation in the Federal Constitution.

“Instead, the Federal Constitution emphasises the ‘Malayness’ of Malaysia,” he said.

On June 16, Huzaidi said there was no need for Mahathir to continue stirring racial sentiments because most Malays have moved on and are eager to see Malaysia’s economic resurgence.

Huzaidi also dismissed Mahathir’s previous claim that DAP wielded significant influence on the unity government as DAP holds only four ministerial positions.

However, in his tweet, Mahathir said there are 40 DAP MPs who could withdraw their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, causing it to collapse.

“That is why Anwar must adhere to DAP’s manifesto, which specifically aims to make Malaysia a multi-ethnic country and replace Islam as the official religion with a secular state,” he said.

Previously, the former Bersatu chairman had claimed that there were attempts by people “from other countries” to change Malaysia from being a “Tanah Melayu” (land of the Malays) into a multiracial country.

Mahathir also claimed that these people refused to recognise Malays as the “founders, locals and builders of the country”.

DAP leaders hit back at PAS man over 3R claims

Party chairman Lim Guan Eng and Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid remind PAS information chief of his president’s statements in the past.

FMT Reporters - 03 Jul 2023, 1:51pm

Lim Guan Eng and Syerleena Abdul Rashid pointed out that it was PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s comments that touched on racial and religious sensitivities.

PETALING JAYA: Two DAP leaders have hit back at PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin after he accused the party of playing up issues pertaining to race, religion and royalty (3R).

DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng said Khairil should call for stern action to be taken against the Islamic party’s president Abdul Hadi Awang, instead of telling Putrajaya to be fair when punishing political parties who touch on such issues.

Lim said that Hadi had issued a lot of statements that touch on 3R and had “deliberately denigrated, humiliated, discriminated and bullied non-Muslims.”

“By demanding that action be taken against DAP leaders reacting to PAS’ extremist and racist statements against non-Muslims, PAS is behaving no different to a thief who calls his victim a thief,” he said in a statement.

Yesterday, Khairil called for the communications and digital ministry to be fair when reacting to political parties that allegedly raised 3R issues. He accused DAP vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming of spreading Islamophobia.

On June 27, Nga, as the local government development minister, called for the Kota Bharu Municipal Council (MPKB) to retract a compound notice issued to a non-Muslim for allegedly dressing indecently.

Khairil also hit out at former Damansara MP Tony Pua for his controversial remark labelling Barisan Nasional and Bersatu as “corrupt”, saying it was racially charged as they both have Malay leaders.

Meanwhile, DAP’s Syerleena Abdul Rashid also issued a statement sharing similar sentiments, pointing out Hadi’s comments that touched on racial and religious sensitivities.

She went on to say that Hadi had once claimed that non-Muslim and non-Bumiputera communities were the most involved in corruption.

“Such outdated tactics are predictable and reflect the reality that the other side has run out of ideas,” she said, commenting on Khairil’s attack on DAP leaders.

“As usual, PAS continues to play their damaging narrative of ‘everything is DAP’s fault,’, especially in the run-up to the state election.”

That’s enough, stop spinning stories, Dr M told

Three DAP MPs denounce Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s claim that Anwar Ibrahim is controlled by DAP.

FMT Reporters - 03 Jul 2023, 6:04pm

DAP’s Dr Kelvin Yii, Syahredzan Johan and Young Syefura Othman have urged Dr Mahathir Mohamad to stop making accusations against their party.

PETALING JAYA: A trio of DAP MPs have hit out at Dr Mahathir Mohamad for claiming that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is “adhering to DAP’s manifesto” due to the party’s influence over the government.

Claiming that promoting a multi-ethnic country goes against Malaysia’s Federal Constitution, Mahathir said DAP’s 40 MPs could cause the government to collapse by withdrawing their support for Anwar’s administration.

“That is why Anwar must adhere to DAP’s manifesto, which specifically aims to make Malaysia a multi-ethnic country and replace Islam as the official religion with a secular state,” he said on Twitter earlier.

In response, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii told Mahathir to stop inventing stories that may divide the nation.

“That’s enough, Tun. (DAP) has never questioned the position of Islam in the constitution. At the same time, we defend the rights of all citizens, regardless of race or religion, as enshrined in the constitution.

“Don’t try to change history by coming up with an illogical narrative that creates a delusion, just to stay relevant,” Yii said in a series of Twitter posts.

Meanwhile, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said Mahathir’s claims had no basis, telling the former Pakatan Harapan chairman to stop making false accusations against DAP.

“The politics of scaring people with baseless propaganda is outdated, Tun,” he said.

Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman also dismissed Mahathir’s claims, saying: “Dear Tun, that’s enough.”

In a tweet, PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim told Mahathir to refer to Article 153(1) of the Federal Constitution, which safeguards the special position of the Malays, the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak, and the legitimate interests of other races in Malaysia.

“This means that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country,” said Hassan, who is a lawyer by training.

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