Dr M: No need to be so harsh

Prime Minister against arrest of man who insulted him on Facebook

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said he disagrees with the action of the police who detained a man who had allegedly “insulted” him on Facebook.

“I don’t agree with the action taken against those who criticise me. I have informed the police about this.

“The laws will be studied when Parliament convenes,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet yesterday.

Langkawi OCPD Supt Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said the man, in his 20s, was picked up in Alor Setar on Wednesday but was already freed on police bail.

He said the investigation was carried out under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

“We have completed the investigations. The papers will be submitted to the deputy public prosecu

tor’s office tomorrow (today),” he said when contacted.

Such an arrest is believed to be the first under the new Pakatan Harapanled administration.

Supt Mohd Iqbal said three non governmental organisations had made a report against the man for his “excessive insulting statements” on Facebook.

“We have followed our standard operating procedure and he is out on bail.

“It’s up to the deputy public prosecutor to decide on the next course of action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah criticised the actions of those who made the reports, adding that their actions had insulted the Government’s ability to guarantee freedom of expression.

“We should not follow the previous administration’s disgraceful methods when dealing with criticism. This should be an era of new and inclusive politics for Malaysia,” she said in a statement yesterday.

She added that since stepping away from Umno, Dr Mahathir had proven time and time again that he is not someone who is unable to handle criticism.

She said that Dr Mahathir has been able to carry on working despite being the target of insults and criticism aimed at him for his role in the Citizen’s Declaration, forming Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and being part of the Opposition.

She added that while freedom of expression allows for criticism against the Government, insults that are violent and aggressive, such as death threats should not be tolerated.

We have followed our standard operating procedure and he is out on bail. It’s up to the deputy public prosecutor to decide on the next course of action. Supt Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim