Only utusan has complete freedom of speech, says Marina Mahathir
Only Umno-linked daily Utusan Malaysia has total freedom of speech, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir said today amid a government crackdown under the Sedition Act 1948.
The social activist and daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said ordinary citizens are claimed to be living in “total fear” and claimed to want the controversial law to stay, as they are only allowed to hear views from the Malay newspaper.
“The people who have complete freedom of speech are people like Utusan,” Marina said at a session on human rights at the International Malaysia Law Conference here today.
“Utusan has complete freedom to stir up fear in everyone, whereas the rest of us are trying to reassure everyone,” she added.
Critics have accused Utusan of stoking racial sentiments.
After the May 5 general election last year in which the ruling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) won but with its worst performance ever,Utusan front-paged a report with the headline “Apa lagi Cina mau?” (What more do the Chinese want?)
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low, who participated in the same session with Marina today, claimed that ordinary citizens are afraid of the chaos that may ensue if certain things are said, but did not elaborate further.
He also stressed that the government must prevent such “chaos”.
Marina said in response that such fear of chaos was “manufactured”.
“Fear of chaos is only up there in the government. The rest of us are not scared,” she added.-MMO
The social activist and daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said ordinary citizens are claimed to be living in “total fear” and claimed to want the controversial law to stay, as they are only allowed to hear views from the Malay newspaper.
“The people who have complete freedom of speech are people like Utusan,” Marina said at a session on human rights at the International Malaysia Law Conference here today.
“Utusan has complete freedom to stir up fear in everyone, whereas the rest of us are trying to reassure everyone,” she added.
Critics have accused Utusan of stoking racial sentiments.
After the May 5 general election last year in which the ruling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) won but with its worst performance ever,Utusan front-paged a report with the headline “Apa lagi Cina mau?” (What more do the Chinese want?)
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low, who participated in the same session with Marina today, claimed that ordinary citizens are afraid of the chaos that may ensue if certain things are said, but did not elaborate further.
He also stressed that the government must prevent such “chaos”.
Marina said in response that such fear of chaos was “manufactured”.
“Fear of chaos is only up there in the government. The rest of us are not scared,” she added.-MMO
