Malaysian Bar denounces Eric Paulsen's arrest as abuse of Sedition Act

The Sun Daily 

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar today said it is perturbed by the arrest of Lawyers for Liberty executive director and co-founder Eric Paulsen under the Sedition Act 1948, for reportedly having tweeted that "Jakim is promoting extremism every Friday".

Its president Christopher Leong said Eric Paulsen's arrest is the latest case in the unabated use of the Sedition Act 1948.

He said it would appear that Jakim is a reference to Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, which is a Federal government authority or agency.

"A comment, including an adverse one, directed at such an agency cannot be construed as an insult to the religion. There does not appear to be anything in the tweet or comment reportedly made by Eric Paulsen that insults Islam as alleged," he said in a statement.

"It must be emphasised that an allegedly adverse statement directed at a government authority or agency, such as Jakim, should never be criminalised. A government authority or agency is not beyond public scrutiny or comment, nor can it be immune from criticism. This is part and parcel of the nature of accountability of public authorities in democratic societies.," said Leong.

Further, he added as in a previous case concerning alleged comments regarding the burning of Bibles, the authorities should be consistent in the application of the law.

"If the authorities were to be consistent, the context of the tweet or comment and the intention of the maker should therefore be taken into account. In its ordinary and natural meaning, the tweet was an expression of concern directed at the Government to look into the actions of a government agency. Whether the concern as expressed is borne out is a matter for enquiry and rebuttal. There cannot be anything seditious about such comments," he said.

He said it was also disconcerting and worrying to note that the Inspector General of Police had, in his tweets, reportedly described Eric Paulsen as "biadap" (meaning rude), "angkuh" (meaning arrogant), as well as "… ingat dia akan berjaya menghasut Rakyat Malaysia supaya menghancurkan semangat mesyarakat 1M'sia kita".

"This does not accord with the level of professionalism expected of the police, who are obliged to conduct an independent, neutral and objective investigation of the matter without any personal views or preconception," pointed out Leong.

This case, he said, is another example of the disadvantage to nation-building that is presented by laws such as the Sedition Act 1948.

"It seeks to cow, intimidate and punish because there are people who may be offended or angered by what is said. The Sedition Act 1948 encourages people who threaten violence, and who are not open to adverse comments or ideas. It endorses and nurtures a culture of aggression, intemperance and intolerance that does not engender the growth and maturity of this nation and its peoples, and provides an environment for extremism to thrive. Instead of fostering moderation and understanding, or safeguarding national harmony, the effect of the Sedition Act 1948 is to ensure that people perpetually walk on eggshells," he added.

The Malaysian Bar has called on the authorities to cease their use of the Sedition Act 1948, and to recognise the right to freedom of speech and expression.

Leong said the authorities must not use an abhorrent piece of legislation to protect themselves from fair comment and criticism.