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The
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) strongly disagrees with calls
to suspend Malay daily Utusan Malaysia for publishing commentary with
racial undertone and to penalise its author, who writes under the
pseudonym Awang Selamat, with the Sedition Act. Freedom of expression
thrives in an environment where members of the public are free to agree
and disagree among themselves instead of censuring each other with
restrictive laws.
NOTICE OF CORRECTION
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) regrets that there has been
factual errors in the previously published version of the above alert.
In the previous version, we incorrectly identified the writer Awang Selamat
as former group chief editor of Utusan Malaysia, Khalid Mohd, who is NOT the individual involved.
As such, CIJ hereby retracts all references to Awang Selamat as Khalid Mohd in the release, including
the following;
"On 3 June, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president, S. Samy
Vellu urged the authorities to charge Khalid Mohd, who writes with the
pen name of Awang Selamat, under the Sedition Act."
The error was unintentional, and we apologize for the misrepresentation.
Thank you
Yip Wai Fong
Communication and Publications Officer
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
CORRECTED STATEMENT
On 3 June, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president, S. Samy Vellu
urged the authorities to charge Awang Selamat under the Sedition Act. This followed the
publication of an article "Melayu dikhianati?" (Malays betrayed?)
published in the daily's column on 31 May, in which non Malays were said
to have "over demanded" their rights. The article and its author drew
both supporters and detractors alike, among them prominent lawyer and
former minister Zaid Ibrahim who rebuked the author in his blog.
However, calls by members of the public, as reflected in the Vox Populi in online daily malaysiakini.com
to invoke laws against the paper, and statement such as Samy Vellu's,
reveal a reflexive tendency to stop discussion about race relations. It
is more disappointing that this is perpetrated by a leader of the
Malaysian biggest Indian political party who should have instead played
a moderating role in such discussion.
Open and civil discussions on race and religion are instrumental
for nation-building. Through such discussion, the norms and mores of
free expression, such as the ethical boundaries would evolve. But to
ban certain views, especially by giving absolute powers to the state to
censor, is a grave violation of freedom of expression for the
individual and the community.
We call on all political leaders
and opinion leaders to emphasize the importance of dialogue and debates
and refrain from demanding for the use of undemocratic laws. We also
urge the editors of Utusan Malaysia to create spaces in the newspaper
for those with differing views and opinions on the issue and show that
it is interested in constructive engagement.
CIJ reiterates that restrictive laws on freedom of expression must
be repealed and our proposal for a parliamentary select committee be
considered to kickstart the law reform process.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit
organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and
free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express,
seek, and impart information.
Issued by
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
For more information please contact Wai Fong at 03 4023 0772
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