Aliran hails the Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss the Home Ministry and government’s appeal against a High Court judgment granting Malaysiakini the right to publish a print edition.
This judgment has great significance because it categorically acknowledges the right of Malaysiakini — and that of all Malaysians — to publish without any bureaucratic hindrances. This decision also nullifies the government’s erroneous contention that a publishing permit is a privilege granted at the sole discretion of the government.
In the interest of democracy and human rights, which are reportedly sliding at the moment in Malaysia, we urge the government not to appeal against this sound judgment at the Federal Court. It would only make yet another mockery of the Najib administration’s hollow claim to social transformation.
We would even assert that in an era of a modern and thriving democracy, the government is morally obliged to do away with the requirement for a publishing permit as it is tantamount to exercising censorship on freedom of expression. There are other laws, such as the Defamation Act, to deal with slanderous and malicious public expressions that could cause social disharmony and disrupt our peace.
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Indeed, a free and responsible press would go a long way in ensuring a government that would be transparent and accountable on issues such as corruption and abuse of power.
Dr Mustafa K Anuar
Hon Secretary, Aliran
30 October 2013
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
This is indeed a case for celebration but only after the appeal period has run out !
It may be, as usual, a plot of Umno to show the world the judiciary in Malaysia is independent.
Just look at past all the judgements against the government the final results will say them all.
The people of Malaysia are no longer fool enough to accept this as the final verdict, not yet for now at least !