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YOUR OPINION | “Many Malaysians are capable of extraordinary things when they see injustice.”
Malaysiakini surpasses RM500k fundraising target over hefty court fine (and other related reports)
Vijay47: “Huge good body shot,” you say, Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan. In fact, it is, a totally unexpected amount, especially when compared to what the prosecution itself demanded.
But I write to admire, greet and support you, Gan. You took it on the chin like a maleHe did not complain or shudder, and with the same firmness expressed his opinion on what a fine of such proportions meant for freedom of the press and the right of the will of the people to be expressed and heard.
The fear of speaking our feelings will creep in and will only serve to encourage the resident band of bandits to continue their unbridled passion to loot and loot, offend and insult.
Perhaps the real tragedy is that Malaysiakini is being punished for what readers wrote in the comment section. Many of us, including myself, choose to walk on thin ice, and this is perhaps a fitting occasion to remember that there are certain kingdoms that we must stay away from.
Court decisions remain open to criticism, as you yourself so eloquently demonstrated this morning at the Palace of Justice, but there are limits to our disappointment.
We cannot defame the integrity of the court, that it is corrupt, or that it is guided by influences other than the law. This in itself is often a line as thin as ice that we sometimes skate on.
As someone said, “This comes with the territory.” So be it. However, the fight must continue. Setbacks and challenges we will face, but we must persevere for the greater cause.
We should also take it on the chin.
2 cents: In fact, this is a testament to the level of trust they enjoy. Malaysiakini from its stakeholders, especially readers who believed in and envisioned a better Malaysia through greater transparency and accountability.
That level of trust was built from scratch over two decades of consistency in holding power to account.
This should serve as a reminder to those walking the corridors of power that many like-minded Malaysians are capable of doing something extraordinary when they see injustice.
Apanakdikato: This is a Friday we won’t forget, a Friday when Malaysiakini he was punished beyond reason, and on the same day, he rose with dignity with the tireless support of all righteous Malaysians.
The Malays are owed an explanation as to why, even after humbly retracting all allegedly offensive reader comments and offering an unreserved apology, though not the fault of their own journalism, the powers that be chose to increase the fine. by 2.5 times the amount requested by the new attorney general, which was already excessive in itself.
The Malays are owed an explanation as to why certain political figures who were charged with multiple counts of corruption and abuse of power, including more than 40 counts in one particular case, were hastily released.
The Malays are owed an explanation as to why many innocent citizens were abducted in broad daylight, separated from their families, but the powers that be remain silent and disinterested after many years. Malaysians are owed an explanation as to why the children have not been returned to their legitimate parents, including with a court order.
It is clear that something rotten is happening in the justice and execution system in the country, but there is no recognition of this by the authorities and no action is taken.
Today, the vigorous response of just-minded Malaysians to save their right and responsible freedom of expression serves as a reminder to those in authority that people want to see transparency and integrity in government, and will continue to voice their opinions when things go. get going. it is not going the right way.
The government in power must learn to harness the minds of the people to make the country a better place for all rather than take oppressive measures to silence their minds.
Kim Quek: The lightning response of the Malaysian public against the punishment of Malaysiakini a good omen for the country.
This also serves to warn the ruling elite that it is better to be prepared to pay a heavy price at the ballot box should it trample on the democratic rights of the people.
The people will remain the boss, as long as our one-vote democratic system remains.
That is why we must always be vigilant so as not to allow our democracy to be stolen from us, such as the current unjustified emergency declaration and suspension of parliament.
We must continue to oppose such a vile attack on our democratic system until it is rectified.
Dr. Raman Letchumanan: As I said before, whatever the court decision, Malaysiakini it will come out stronger, as long as true justice is on our side. In this case, not only stronger, but press freedom has received the much-needed boost, against the forces that want to restrict freedom of expression.
The rakyat have spoken; no matter what the authorities decide. In the final analysis, it is the wishes of the rakyat that count. I hope this is a lesson for the powerful.
But don’t get this overwhelming support to our heads. We must be vigilant, not invite unnecessary attention and always tell the truth to whoever it is. There are other worse tools of repression that the authorities can use to restrict press freedom.
I think, therefore I exist: We will never allow an independent and neutral democratic institution to collapse. This crowdfunding result should send an equal and resounding message: people will not be intimidated.
We may be from diverse cultures, but we stick together when democracy is threatened. We are Malaysians.
Hawk: We are all Malaysiakini – period!
Kee Thuan Chye: Malaysiakini has given us so much.
He has faced persecution from the powers that be countless times for doing what he should do correctly: providing us with information and the truth. In the course of his work through thick and thin, he has changed the media landscape in Malaysia.
Now, in your hour of need, the least we can do is help.
Fair play: Malaysiakini subscribers must now recognize the fact that their future and Malaysiakini they are intertwined.
Such as Malaysiakini provides us with the news and the platform for us to express ourselves, we, as subscribers, must protect the platform it provides Malaysiakini.
Be careful and be aware of our language.
Thana55: Lord Denning MR, who in R vs Commissioner of Police (196) 2 QB 150 once said this about when his brothers on the bench would wield the sword of contempt:
“Let me tell you right away that we will never use this jurisdiction to defend our own dignity. That must rest on safer foundations. Nor will we use it to repress those who speak out against us. We do not fear criticism, nor do we resent it.” . Because there is something much more important at stake. It is no less than freedom of expression itself … All we ask is that those who criticize us remember that, by the nature of our duties, we cannot respond to their criticism. . We cannot get into public controversies. We must rely on our own conduct to be its own vindication. “
Gerard Lourdesamy: The time has come for a contempt of court law to be enacted with reasonable and permissible exceptions for media and public comment. The outdated common law disregard of scandalizing the court must be abolished.
The time has also come for the creation of a Judicial Conduct Commission to investigate complaints against judges instead of the opaque mechanism that we have today.
If the executive is accountable to Parliament for the authority to govern and our deputies answer to the people every four to five years in general elections, what is exceptional about the judiciary that must be beyond the scrutiny and criticism of the public or Of the media?
This is the 21st century and not the era of absolutism.
Oriole: Majority and minority trials They’re available in Malaysiakini. There is a clear difference in tone, as seen in the choice of words used in the two trials.
If the words convey the mood, then there is a clear indication of the mood in the judgments. Malaysians should read both sentences to reach their own conclusions.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the last year, Malaysians have posted more than 100,000 comments. Enjoy the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Sign up now.
These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini it is not intended to represent these views as fact.
