Aliran is appalled by the recent arrest of Malaysiakini journalist Susan Loone under the draconian Sedition Act.
Susan, who is also an Aliran member, was merely doing her professional duty as a journalist. She had reported her phone interview with Penang state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh over the issue of the PPS mass arrests on Merdeka Day. Shockingly, this reporting landed her in trouble with the authorities; her arrest is tantamount to ‘killing’ the messenger.
The authorities’ action poses an ‘occupational hazard’ to conscientious journalists who want to pursue and publish facts in a professional manner. Her arrest is undoubtedly an affront to freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
A democracy worth its salt would not have taken this line of action. In a thriving democracy, the government would have engaged the newspaper and the journalist concerned in a public discourse by exercising its right of reply.
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We call upon the Najib administration to drop all charges against Susan Loone and Malaysiakini and to immediately do away with the Sedition Act, especially in the light of yesterday’s renewed promise by the prime minister to repeal this obnoxious piece of legislation.
A civilised society deserves better treatment than this from the authorities.
Aliran Executive Committee
6 September 2014
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Not just for Susan Loone but all other equally ridiculous sedition charges should also be dropped.
This is mere intimidation on the part of the police, yet they did nothing, nothing I repeat, when the pugnacious Utusan Melayu was clearly very seditious in their articles. Not to mention the many others that do this repeatedly, Najib did and still does nothing about them. He pretends as though nothing has happened but the truth is the amount of resentment that this has created. Aren’t the minority votes he received in the last GE enough for him to realise that ? He still hangs to the repugnant … Mahathir’s advises … and all his ‘warriors’ are truly not supporting him but really are only trying to protect themselves. When is Najib going to wake up ?
If Najib was to have this repugnant Mahathir indicted he will surely win the next GE hands down, notwithstanding who he nominates to stand as his supporting candidates.
Please remember this old man’s support is now a liability and Najib should abandon him all together especially whatever policy he is advocating if Najib stands a chance to remain in Putrajaya.
this could not have been said better…this is not a good look for the country