Wednesday, 29 November 2023

English language: Anwar is contradictory or hypocritical?

 No News Is Bad News

BERNAMA - PM ANWAR WANTS STUDENT PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH IMPROVED FROM 2024. For image info, go to https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2247450

English language: Anwar is contradictory or hypocritical?

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30, 2023: On Aug 25, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that official letters sent to government departments must be in Malay (Bahasa Malaysia).

On Nov 23, Anwar announced that starting next year, the national education system has to improve students’ mastery of the English language while upholding the position of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.

He said there should be no more debate on the position of English versus Bahasa Malaysia.

“Don’t argue anymore, as if giving English importance will leave Bahasa Malaysia behind,” he said.

The following is one response found on social media:


Now, he is saying that the nation needs to elevate the level of English. Contradictory would be a kind word to describe him. Hypocritical may be more appropriate.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below three news reports on the issue:

M’sian education to focus on English mastery next year onwards, says Anwar

Giving English importance does not mean leaving Bahasa Malaysia behind, says the prime minister.

Mikha Chan - 23 Nov 2023, 10:32pm

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says if Malaysia’s economic progress and capability is to increase, Bahasa Malaysia must become the main language of knowledge. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA: Starting next year, the national education system has to improve students’ mastery of the English language while upholding the position of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said in a speech here that there should be no more debate on the position of English versus Bahasa Malaysia.

“Don’t argue anymore, as if giving English importance will leave Bahasa Malaysia behind,” he said.

Anwar added that if Malaysia’s economic progress and capability was to increase, Bahasa Malaysia must become the main language of knowledge, and be mastered by all Malaysians at all schools, including private and international schools.

“A child of Malaysia must master Bahasa Malaysia. At the same time, all our children, especially at national schools, must be given focus so that their mastery of English is much better than it is now, so that they can at least be bilingual.”

Anwar also stressed the necessity of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), saying a major German company making microchips had decided to invest RM25 billion in Malaysia.

“This means that we must train our TVET graduates, engineers, and others in the fields of mathematics, science, and technology to be able to fulfil the company’s needs.

“If not, they will hire experts from other countries.”

Meanwhile, Anwar also addressed the call for a meritocracy-based education system, saying while it was true that some Indians with good academic performance did not gain entrance to public universities, there were “hundreds of smart Malay children that do not get the opportunity”.

“There’s no such thing as a ‘fair competition’. Schools in Kapit, for example, compared with schools in Kuala Lumpur? How can there be a fair competition?

“This is why our policies give opportunities to those in rural schools, giving Malays more opportunities even though their results are not as good.” - FMT

English Excellence: Anwar's Bold Leap into the 21st Century?

Opinion

30 Nov 2023 • 9:00 AM MYT

Mihar Dias

A behaviourist by training, a consultant and executive coach by profession

 

Anwar Ibrahim's announces need to improve English proficiency. Credit: Malay Mail

By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright November 2023

In a groundbreaking revelation, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared that the Malaysian government is set to revolutionize English education, a move hailed as visionary by absolutely no one.

With nations in Asia rapidly advancing, it seems Malaysia has finally decided to join the linguistic party—better late than never, right?

In a speech that rivalled Shakespearean prose, Anwar Ibrahim passionately emphasized the urgent need to elevate the standard of English in the country. Because, clearly, mastering the English language is the secret sauce to economic and intellectual prosperity—move over, innovation, and critical thinking.

Despite the stirring rhetoric, the Prime Minister reassured the nation that Malay, the linguistic backbone of Malaysia, would remain unscathed. Because nothing says progress like safeguarding the language status quo.

Anwar magnanimously extended his call for English proficiency to students in private and international schools, reminding them that even in the pursuit of global linguistic dominance, one should never forget the nuances of Malay.

After all, who needs a global outlook when you can impress everyone with your command of a language spoken by roughly 0.13% of the world's population?

And let's not forget the pièce de résistance: “It is imperative that every Malaysian child, regardless of their educational institution, attains a high level of proficiency in Malay.”

Because who wouldn't want to conquer the world with flawless Malay sentences?

In conclusion, as the rest of Asia embraces technological and economic advancements, Malaysia boldly steps into the future by... improving English.

A truly groundbreaking move that will undoubtedly put the nation on the map—just make sure it's a map written in English.

I am so disillusioned by political rhetoric about improving English in this country.

Meanwhile, we remain behind other nations in the region because our children do not have the command of the language.

I hope and pray that this time, Anwar, this promise is for real. - Newsway


Official letters to govt depts must be in Malay, says Anwar

By MARTIN CARVALHO

NATION

Wednesday, 25 Oct 2023

 

CYBERJAYA: Official letters sent to government departments must be in Malay, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that letters which are not sent in the national language would be returned to the sender.

"I want to remind the public and private sectors of the directive that those who correspond in a language other than the national language, their letters will be sent back," he said.

Speaking at the launch of the Karnival Dekad Bahasa Kebangsaan and Dekad Membaca Kebangsaan at the Multimedia University on Wednesday (Oct 25), Anwar said that there is some confusion on emphasising the use of international languages.

"But there is an attitude taken which oversteps and deviates among some government departments, universities and private universities including the private sector which attempts to abandon the basis of the Constitution with regard to communicating with the government in the national language," he added.

Anwar said this directive should not be taken lightly, adding a clearer one would be issued by the Civil Service Department on the matter.

He said that achieving economic success would mean little if the national language, which was part of our culture, was not championed.

Of passion and perseverance

Anwar stressed that he was not taking a narrow view on the matter but one which emphasised the use of the national language.

"I remind my friends that I would not have lectured at Washington University if I had not mastered the English language. But rooting down to earth and championing of the national language is something intimate in nation building," he added.

He urged the younger generation to inculcate the habit of reading which has been adversely affected in recent years due to the advent of social media. - The Star

Tuesday, 28 November 2023

Rukun Negara: It’s back to ‘school’ for MPs

 No News Is Bad News

Rukun Negara: It’s back to ‘school’ for MPs

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29, 2023: Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) Speaker Johari Abdul says the 222 Members of Parliament (MPs) are to recite the preamble and five principles of the Rukun Negara.

That is a step in the right direction to consolidate national unity and harmony. In short, it is back to the basics.

Racial and religious bigots have become wayward and are spewing sentimnests that threaten national unity and harmony.

They have to “return to school” to understand what the Rukun Negara is about for multi-racial Malaysia.

Unfortunately, Johari did not say what of action would be taken against who refuse to recite the Rukun Negara.

No News Is Bad News opines that such errant MPs should be barred from attending Parliament sessions until they agree to recite the Rukun Negara, or risk losing their parliamentary status or membership.

Here’s what was reported by the media:

MPs to recite Rukun Negara at start of Dewan Rakyat sessions

Members of Parliament will recite the preamble and five principles of the Rukun Negara.

Mohamad Fadli - 29 Nov 2023, 11:04am

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul says national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang had requested that the Rukun Negara be recited in the House. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: MPs will now recite the Rukun Negara at the opening of each parliamentary session every year, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul.

Johari said MPs would recite the preamble and five principles of the Rukun Negara, following a request by national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang.

“I brought the (minister’s) proposal to the parliamentary committee on nation-building, education and human resources development, as well as the standing orders committee for their consideration.

“Both committees have agreed to implement reciting the Rukun Negara in the Dewan Rakyat. Therefore, the Rukun Negara will be recited at the opening of every Dewan Rakyat session, namely on the second day of the first meeting of each session,” he said.

According to the Parliament website, a parliamentary session refers to “the period between the opening of Parliament until the end of the sitting each year”.

Johari also said 213 MPs and six senators had already undergone health check-ups, with nine MPs yet to do so.

“I will display the names of those who have yet to undergo health check-ups on Dec 1,” he added.

Ha! Ha! Ha! Lim exposes Penang CM Chow’s ignorance, incompetence

 No News Is Bad News

They are not in the same league as far as leadership competency is concerned. 

Ha! Ha! Ha! Lim exposes Penang CM Chow’s ignorance, incompetence

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29, 2023: Does DAP’s Penang Chief Chow Kon Yeow thinks he is all mighty in the state and can do whatever he likes or deem fit?

That appears to be so.

The state, in enacting by-laws, can only do so as long as it does not controvene the Federal Constitution and its laws.

And it takes former finance minister Lim Guan Eng, the DAP adviser, tell Chow that Penang had no power to levy sales tax on petroleum products in the event that oil is discovered offshore in the state.

No News Is Bad News reproduces a news report exposing the ignorant CM Chow:

Guan Eng pours cold water on Penang’s petroleum tax plan

The former finance minister says constitutionally, Penang cannot demand taxes for petroleum.

Predeep Nambiar - 29 Nov 2023, 12:49pm

Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng says Penang cannot come up with a new law to collect taxes from petroleum.

GEORGE TOWN: Lim Guan Eng (PH-Air Putih) today said it would be impractical for Penang to levy a sales tax on petroleum products in the event that oil is discovered offshore in the state.

The former finance minister said this was because Penang had no power to do so under the Federal Constitution.

“Sabah and Sarawak have special powers under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, under the Federal Constitution. Penang cannot come up with a new law (to collect taxes),” he told the Penang assembly in debating the 2024 state budget.

“Even the state legal adviser nodded in agreement when I said Penang has no constitutional rights to demand taxes from petroleum,” he said.

Previously, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang might consider taking Sarawak’s path to introduce a sales tax on petroleum products in the event that oil is found in its waters.

Chow said he had asked the state legal adviser to come up with a sales tax law similar to Sarawak’s and aim for a similar RM4 billion sales tax revenue.

Petronas recently said it was mapping the hydrocarbon potential of the Langkasuka Basin, which spans the waters of Perlis, Kedah and Penang.

In June, it was reported that Petronas and its subsidiaries had paid the Sarawak government RM1.2 billion in sales tax on petroleum products for the first quarter of 2023.

At last DAP takes legal action against Taliban-like PAS MP Siti Mastura

 No News Is Bad News

At last DAP takes legal action against Taliban-like PAS MP Siti Mastura

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29, 2023: So, it is not NATO (No Action Talk Only) only for the DAP and its leaders.

The party and its leaders have finally found the courage to go after the Taliban-like PAS leaders who have been slandering and spewing racial and religious bigotry since the 15th General Election but the DAP had not responded with any legal action.

Party elder Lim Kit Siang, Bagan MP and DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok today filed defamation suits against the PAS’ Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Mohamad for alleging they had blood ties with former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng and late Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Siti Mastura is a PhD (doctorate) from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the filing of the suit:

DAP trio file defamation suits against Siti Mastura

Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Teresa Kok say the PAS MP’s remarks damaged their reputation.

FMT Reporters - 29 Nov 2023, 12:27pm

DAP trio Lim Guan Eng, Teresa Kok and Lim Kit Siang have filed a defamation suit against PAS’s Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Mohamad for remarks in a speech in Kemaman on Nov 4.

PETALING JAYA: Three DAP leaders have filed separate defamation suits against PAS’s Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Mohamad for alleging they had blood ties with former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng and late Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

In the suits filed by Messrs SN Nair & Partners in the Penang High Court two days ago, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Teresa Kok are seeking damages for both libel and slander against Siti Mastura for damaging their reputations.

The trio also want the High Court to issue an injunction preventing Siti Mastura from uttering, writing, publishing or distributing the same or similar statements.

Siti Mastura is alleged to have made the remarks in a speech in Kemaman, Terengganu, on Nov 4.

According to the statements of claim filed, snippets of her speech were subsequently posted on TikTok two days later.

“The impugned video clips … garnered more than 17,200 views, 496 comments, 264 ‘likes’, 70 ‘saves’ and 178 shares, as at the date of the filing of the suit,” the statements of claim read.

Siti Mastura, the PAS women’s wing deputy chief, is also alleged to have said that DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, vice-president Nga Kor Ming and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham had blood relations with the family of Kit Siang and Guan Eng.

On Nov 10, Kit Siang, Guan Eng and Kok demanded that Siti Mastura retract and apologise for her remarks. However, last week, she denied their claims.

The contents of Siti Mastura’s speech were also reported in the media.

In the statements of claim, the three DAP leaders alleged that Siti Masura also implied they subscribed and ascribed to communist ideologies by claiming blood-related connections with Chin Peng.

They said by virtue of the family connections, Siti Mastura claimed that the trio, together with Lee and DAP leaders Loke, Nga and Ngeh, had perpetuated a Chinese communist conspiracy that was detrimental to the security and democracy of Malaysia.

“As a result of the impugned slanderous words and/or the impugned libellous words, (the plaintiffs’) reputation has been irreparably damaged wherein (their) character and social creditworthiness have been severely tarnished, degraded and exposed to, inter alia, severe public ridicule, scandal, hatred, odium, condemnation, humiliation, and opprobrium,” the filings said.

Idiot politicians are reminded: All can play the same game

 No News Is Bad News

Idiot politicians are reminded: All can play the same game

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29, 2023: A fifth Perikatan Nasional (PN)-Bersatu MP has declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his so-called Madani Unity Government (UG).

Since the first PN declared support for Anwar and his UG, the Opposition and the suspected CIA-backed political website, Malaysia Chronicle (MC), have been crying “corruption” in enticing the MPs to “hop” to the UG.

Are Malaysians stupid or what? So, when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) or Umno MPs hope to the Opposition, it’s not corruption?

Please do not underestimate or insult the intelligence of Malaysians.

Party hopping or a change in political stance has been the “feature” of Malaysian politics for decades.

Since the conclusion of the 15th General Election (GE15) and state elections on Aug 12, the Taliban-like PAS and racist Muhyiddin “I Am Malay First” Yassin-led PN-Bersatu have been touting the downfall of Anwar and UG, apparently with support from political frogs in the UG.

Instead, PN-Bersatu have been losing MPs to the UG.

So, this leads to the saying: Two can also play the same game.

So, do not expect any sympathy from Malaysians on “party hopping” from either side of the political divide.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below the “intelligence-insulting” MC report:

SHOW OF FALSE STRENGTH OR IS IT A TRAP ? - HAS ANWAR MISREAD THE MALAY PSYCHE - IT'S CORRUPTION, SCOFFS MAHATHIR - AS ANWAR ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR 5TH BERSATU MP TO DECLARE SUPPORT

posted by politics now! on November 28, 2023

 

Written by Wong Choon Mei, Politics Now!

KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - Show of strength, show of false strength or a trap? Another month, another dreary controversy shrouds Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government. This week, another opposition MP - Bersatu's Bukit Gantang rep Syed Abu Hassan - has declared support for Anwar in exchange for federal funding. 

The fifth Bersatu MP to do so, Syed Abu Hassan took it a step further by hinting he was ready to take up a post in Anwar's government.

“My question is, is the prime minister ready to welcome the willingness of MPs with the experience, expertise, and ability to help the people and develop the country’s economy?" Syed Abu told Parliament. 

“I myself am ready to give and help the government create a civil society to deal with the rising price of goods and the cost of living by taking the ‘ibrah’ (lesson) of the Prophet Yusuf." 

“With this, Bukit Gantang declares its support for Tambun (Anwar) as the 10th prime minister and the idea of the Madani government,” Malay Mail reported him as saying.

DEFECTIONS SHOW ANWAR IS WEAK, NOT STRONG - MALAY SYMPATHY GOES TO MUHYIDDIN

Syed Abu Hasan

Syed's move is not unexpected given Anwar's stubborn refusal to give opposition MPs any funding, but the timing of the move which comes just two days after both Bersatu and Anwar's PKR held their party meetings caught many pundits by surprise.

Muhyiddin had pulled a 'tear-jerker' announcing he would not defend his presidency as rumblings in the party grew over the Bersatu backdoor 'defections'. He U-turned on the decision when it became clear he still had the support of the majority of Bersatu members who had loudly pleaded with him not to go.

 

Muhyiddin pulled a tearjerker

Anwar on the other hand was in denial mode as his unpopularity grew - his approval rating plunging to 50% from 68% a year ago when he took power - despite charging on with a Malay-centric platform that included a strongly tilted pro-Hamas stance in the Palestine-Israeli conflict and a show of strength, real of false, via the backdoor 'defections' of the Bersatu MPs.

"Anwar's reading of the Malay and non-Malay psyche is very poor. If you're non-Malay and you read of a 5th Bersatu backdoor defection, chances are you'll be a bit disgusted that such dirty politics is still going on and Anwar is the same as all the other PMs who were criticized for abusing power and playing money politics. Anwar may not realize it but each time it happens, whether he directly or indirectly enticed rival MPs, he's actually stabbing himself and making voters dislike him even more," a political analyst told Politics Now!

"If you're Malay, odds are your sympathy will go to Muhyiddin. Don't underrate him. Malays do genuinely see him and Bersatu as real alternatives to Umno, much more than Anwar and PKR, but not as much as Hadi and Pas. You can say Malays are split now but actually they are very united against the non-Malays. It's just that they have more leadership choices these days and stunts like the Bersatu defections will only keep Anwar and his PKR party at bottom of the rung as far as Malay voters are concerned. They don't like him or believe in him and unhealthy practices like these will be magnified and make them even more upset and wishful of replacing him as PM - perhaps with some they know from the past like Umno's Hishammuddin Hussein or a relative newbie like Pas' Samsuri Mokhtar, whom they see as a breath of fresh air with Islamic flavor and pin their hopes on to lead their community to new heights."    

IT'S CORRUPTION, SAYS MAHATHIR 

 

Mahathir Mohamad

Anwar has denied enticing the Bersatu MPs, yet his act of withholding funds smacks of deliberate pressure - and this has not escaped the notice of the majority of civil society, corruption watch dogs like C4 or clean-polls groups like Bersih. 

His political nemesis Mahathir Mohamad took a shot at him today (Nov 28), accusing his administration of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. 

In a posting on X, Mahathir said the opposition MPs declared support for Anwar were receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs.

“The Bersatu MPs also acknowledged receiving other offers. This is considered as corruption because those who do not support the prime minister do not receive them," said Mahathir.

“The Bersatu MPs also acknowledged receiving other offers. This is considered as corruption because those who do not support the prime minister do not receive them."

DIRTY POLITICAL CHESSBOARD & THE MACC

Coincidentally or not, sources in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, long accused of being used as a tool by the government of the day to further their political agenda against rival, told Malaysiakini today they have found no traces of corruption so far.

“Our investigators have recorded the four MPs’ statements last week. From what I was informed, the MPs came to MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. So far, the initial investigation found no element of corruption in their actions,” said a high-level source with privy into the investigation.

The four Bersatu MPs who preceded Syed Abu in declaring support for Anwar while refusing to resign from their party are Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Gua Musang Azizi Abu Naim, and Jeli MP Zahari Kechik.

The joke among jaded and long-suffering Malaysians is now - will the MACC suddenly find 'evidence' of corruption when Anwar is ousted?

And on goes the political chessboard in Malaysia, perhaps among the dirtiest in the world, with those elected to clean up sucked in and transformed into the biggest pieces of dirt themselves.

Written by Wong Choon Mei, Politics Now!

Kissing in public in Malaysia an offence

 No News Is Bad News

Image for illustration only: Couple Kissing & Drinking On Public Bench, Police Arrives & Fines Them RM918 Each

Kissing in public in Malaysia an offence

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29, 2023: Malaysians and foreign tourists are reminded that it is an offence to show affection by kissing in public.

With many over zealous racial and religious bigot roaming around in Malaysia look for faults, it is best to avoid any form of display of affection, even hugging.

It is really difficult define what is decent and what is indecent with religious edtremists.

A few years ago, a foreign couple was fined RM918 by the police after they were caught kissing in public.

And, in September, a Malaysian man was arrested in Rome for attacking a kissing couple.

The unnamed Malaysian now faces charges of assault, as well as resisting a public official. Police will be investigating his radicalisation.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below news reports and some legal advice on the issue:

 

[UPDATE]: Malaysian man arrested in Rome for attacking kissing couple

 By Coconuts KL

Sep 27, 2017 | 10:51am KL time

[UPDATE] Seems like somewhere between Italy, and Malaysia, someone got confused between Mali, and Malaysia. Italian officials are scrambling to confirm with the Malaysian Embassy in Italy that the man detained was in fact from Mali, not Malaysia. Mali. Like the country in Africa, nowhere near Malaysia.

A 24-year-old Malaysian man was arrested Sunday night in Rome for assaulting a couple that was kissing near an Islamic center in the city.

Shouting, “you can’t kiss here in front of the mosque,” he then became physically violent.

According to police, he is said to have shoved the woman, later punching and kicking the man.

Two officers arrived on the scene, and the man attacked them as well, bruising one.

The unnamed Malaysian now faces charges of assault, as well as resisting a public official. Police will be investigating his radicalization.

Please, nobody show this guy any Fellini movies, k?

 

General

So you got caught by the PDRM for making out in public... What now?

 over 5 years ago  Derek Kho

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not meant to be used or construed as legal advice in any manner whatsoever. All articles have been scrutinized by a practicing lawyer to ensure accuracy.

 

The story goes the same way most of the time – a couple in a park or a car, just somewhere quiet and alone. And then one of you decides to engage in, you know. Couple-like behaviour. Carpe diem

All of a sudden there’s the dreaded knock on the window, a blinding beam from a flashlight, and (sometimes) righteous throat clearing. Party-time’s over. You’ve just been busted by the cops for indecent behavior

 

The big questions here are, what constitutes indecent behavior in the first place; and is it actually illegal? 

With regards to indecent acts, it might seem a little difficult to figure out what is acceptable and what is not. Is kissing okay? How about hugging? How about public displays of affection so… affectionate, it’ll make your grandmother cringe? It’s not an easy question to answer, but we will look at a case a little later to help understand what is thought of as decent, or not.

 So let’s break this down into the specific sections starting with... 

Is it actually illegal?

 

The short answer is yes – Acts of public indecency will get you in trouble with the law. This article we’ve written covers a similar topic, which explains indecency with regards to public nudity. It goes more in depth with regards to the laws governing indecent acts.  But for the purposes of this article, let’s assume it’s something more ‘conventional’, like kissing and hugging.

Most laws require you to have been indecent with intention for another person to see it, as stated in Section 509 of the Penal Code and Section 28(e) of Minor Offences Act 1955. Flashers come to mind as a suitable example.  

However, there is a possible exception here. If you did your best to scope out a secluded spot for some truly private time because your parents are home and the walls are thin, you may still be charged under Section 294(a) of the Penal Code which states:

“Whoever, to the annoyance of others— (a) does any obscene act in any public place…shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine or with both.”

In which case, your intention is irrelevant and you might still be in trouble. This is further clarified by lawyer Fahri Azzat from legal firm Fahri & Co. explains:

 “294(a) is a strict liability offence that does not require intention to be proved. It means that if you did it then it’s an offence. You do not have to “intend” to do it.” - Fahri Azzat, in interview with ASKLEGAL

Of course, this leads to the next question:

What is “public”?

The general versus legal understanding of ‘public’ is not very different. Public areas include but are not limited to theatres, parks, footways, roads. Some of these places are defined in the Minor Offences Act 1955, for example :

“place  of  public  resort”  means  any  place  licensed  under  any written  law  in  force  in  Malaysia  relating  to  theatres  and  includes an  amusement  park;

“public footway” means any footway made or set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers over which the public have a  right  of  way;

“public road” includes every road, street, bridge, passage, footway or  square  over  which  the  public  have  a  right  of  way...

What this means is that arguably, most places that aren’t in a building or completely secluded can be reasonably justified to fall within the ambit of “public”. And now for the part that you’ve probably been wondering about since the start of the article – 

What’s “indecent”?

We left this for last since indecency is tricky business, in that it can be quite subjective.

See, I might think it’s perfectly decent to run naked down Petaling Street screaming profanities. However, most Malaysians probably won’t agree with me, nor do they wish to see me (or anyone) running naked down Petaling Street screaming profanities. Same with kissing, hugging, and other public displays of affection. The point is, that what is decent to you may not be decent to someone else!

To understand the meat (no pun intended) of the argument, lets have a look at the case of Ooi Kean Thong & Siow Ai Wei v DPP 2006 [FC], which some of you may remember as it generated a lot of discussion on public morality and decency back in 2006.

In short, a local couple were found behaving in a “disorderly” manner (kissing and hugging under a tree in a park) and charged under Section 8(1) of the Parks (Federal Territory of Putrajaya) By-Laws, 2002 which states:

No person shall behave in an indecent manner in any park.

They were convicted (found guilty) but appealed against the ruling. This case generated a huge discussion on the line between decent or indecent, and how it’s enforced; two examples being a letter published in Malaysiakini, and a media statement by Bandar Kuching DAPSY Deputy Chief Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen who asked:

“Where is the limitation of these legal enforcement of morality?  Will it come a day where shaking hands with an opposite sex or even sitting too close, for example within 3 feet, will also be deemed indecent by some over-zealous moral-cum-law enforcers?” – Chong Chieng Jen, as quoted from his media statement.

The takeaway from this is that defining indecency can be a rather tough affair with no clear black-or-white answer, and it may perhaps be advisable to be more conscientious when out in public.

 

But what if you get asked for duit kopi?

 

Okay so lets set the scene: You and your, let’s say, “close friend” get caught for, let’s say, “hanging out” in a park… if you know what we mean. You’re nervous, knees weak and palms are sweaty, spine’s spaghetti whilst getting lectured by scary men in uniforms about your bad behavior. Actually, most of them aren’t really all that scary, and you’re more likely to get a sound warning and be asked to leave.

But what if you get asked for a bribe?

Let’s be clear. If you’ve been caught performing acts that can be justified as being indecent (like literally with your pants down) you may very well be in legal trouble. However, it doesn’t mean that you should pay a bribe either for reasons that we’ll get into in an upcoming article. 

Instead, you should note down which agency/department the officers are from, and lodge a report. If there was no action taken, you may also be able to make a follow-up complaint against the agency or department with the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), a body that’s been set up to receive and investigate public complaints about any enforcement officers or agencies that misbehave. Reports can be made several ways:

· In person – At their HQ in Putrajaya

· Via email – aduan@eaic.gov.my

· Website – e-Aduan

· Phone call – 03-8880 5651 / 5627 / 5625

· Snail mail – Addressed to their HQ (in the link above)

For more information about the agencies/departments under their jurisdiction as well as things you’ll need to prepare, check out our article here.

So there you have it. The best answer to this problem is don’t get caught don’t do it! Despite what you or I may believe is decent or fair, it seems wiser to simply do what you need to do in private, away from potential trouble.