DEPUTY Minister of Communications and Digital Teo Nie Ching has refuted the allegation that the unity government cannot be criticised, even on social media.

She said reports that the government would block people from posting and take them to court are untrue.

Teo said that people are welcome to express their views and give constructive criticism, as long as they are not violating any law.

“I do not know why such a perception exists because I think that is not right.

“Even Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that he welcomed constructive criticism. He didn’t say you cannot criticise him, the ministers or deputy ministers.

“What we are trying to stress here is that we don’t want hate speech, we want to protect the people’s sentiment, the harmony and we don’t want any statement that violates the law, especially regarding the 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues,” she said in Johor Baru today.

Nevertheless, Teo said the government and its agencies have a responsibility to ensure that false information does not spread widely, especially those involving security issues.

On the prime minister recent defamation suits, Teo said he was just exercising his rights.

“I believe that if a politician, a prime minister, minister or deputy minister for that matter, feels that they have been defamed, they have the right to take the person involved to court. Everybody has the right to do so,” she said. – Bernama, December 23, 2022.