MCMC shoots Malaysiakini the messenger; Khalid Samad’s piercing wit

by Nathaniel Tan

Two quick notes of a rather divergent nature (apologies!) : first, happy belated Onam to all Malayalees :) second, al-Fatihah for YB Azman Md. Noor, and takziah to his family :(

Today:

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has requested independent news portal Malaysiakini to remove two ‘provocative’ videos, including the footage of the controversial cow-head protest, from its website.

“These videos contain offensive contents with the intent to annoy any person, especially Indians.

“This is an offence under Section 211/233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998,” said monitoring and enforcement division senior acting director Abdul Halim Ahmad in a letter dated Sept 3.

Sigh.

While those dragging cow heads around and making death threats still walk free, the government decides to hentam the messengers.

Is this a variation on the case of Ahmad Ismail spreads hate, journalist Tan Hoon Cheng gets ISA?

Why so illogical!? If people are threatening violence, please charge them (they may yet, but goodness, it’s taking so long. Not like anti-government protest, arrest on the spot), and leave the ones exposing the madness alone!

Some more cannot make up their mind. Is it a big deal or not? You want to go after Malaysiakini, but Kerishamuddin says its all nothing to get fussed up about.

Howla? Which is it?!

Sigh.

YB Khalid Samad has been blogging quite well and quite extensively on this issue. With regards to the identity of the protestors, I have espoused the same view as his:

Tetapi saya yakin mereka BUKAN ahli PAS. Ini kerana sudah lebih 10 tahun saya menjadi YDP PAS Shah Alam dan tidak pernah saya lihat muka kedua-dua penganjur demo ini. Lagipun tiada ahli PAS yang akan sanggup menukarkan kalimah ‘Takbir’ kepada ‘Take Beer’ seperti yang dilaugkan oleh golongan ini.

No PKR member would make fun of PAS’ rallying cry in such a way either.

I liked this part, hehe:

Saya diberitahu ada pihak yang menyatakan bahawa Ibrahim dan Mahyudin, dua watak utama demo kepala lembu tempohari telah mengaku diri mereka sebagai ahli/penyokong PAS. Oleh itu ada yang bertanya kepada saya samada ianya benar.

Maka saya pun menjawab, “biasalah, pada masa ini siapa sanggup mengaku dirinya ahli UMNO?”

Aheheh.