Cops to question lawyer over article on Malaysian royalty

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 10 Jul 2018 4:54PM · 5 Comments

Fadiah Nadwa Fikri questions the power of the monarchy and its relevance in modern day Malaysia, saying it is not only anti-democratic, but also a direct assault on the people's dignity as human beings. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 10, 2018.

HUMAN rights lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri has been called up by the police for questioning the role of the monarchy in Malaysia.

She said she was being investigated under the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act for a blog post about the relevance of the royalty.

“I’ve been called in by the police for investigation under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. The questioning will be held at IPD Brickfields tomorrow at 4pm,” she tweeted today.

Fadiah’s article appeared on the Malaysia Muda page, titled Don’t Kiss the Hand that Beats You, and was published yesterday.

The article she wrote was based on a picture of de facto Pakatan Harapan leader Anwar Ibrahim bending to kiss the hand of the Johor sultan.

Fadiah questioned the power of the monarchy and its relevance in modern day Malaysia.

“The answers to these questions lead us to one inevitable conclusion: not only is the monarchy anti-democratic, it is also a direct assault on our very dignity which is inherent to our existence as human beings.

“While proponents of this feudal relic would argue that the monarchy as it exists today is nothing but a neutral constitutional adornment, the fact however demonstrates the contrary.

“One must look beyond what is written in the constitution in order to understand the politics this institution practices, whose interest it truly represents, and whose side it is on,” she wrote.

Section 4 of the Sedition Act is punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a RM5,000 fine or both.

Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act provides for a maximum RM50,000 fine or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, on conviction. – July 10, 2018.

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Comments

  • The constitution is man made laws and should keep abreast with the times. Why are we letting it tie us down to the past, where in our case our founding fathers were really shortsighted.

    Posted 5 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • Should not the modern law actually be "It's not what you say, but how you say it". The Sedition Act 1948 (as amended) has been described as being an archaic law left behind by our British colonial rulers after we obtained self rule from them in 1957..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • Something which has been quite tastefully said (as seems this case) no matter the subject matter should perhaps pass muster & be allowed in the interests of "academic discussion".

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • The investigation papers will be sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers once police questioning of Fadiah is over. The A-G can decline to take further action or not proceed to court over this matter..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Throw away the Sedition Act. Tak guna punya law, only to oppress the rakyat. If we cannot question the rulers, what is Malaysia then? No one is perfect in this world, and if you agree with this then you should be open to criticism.

    Posted 5 years ago by Da Hi · Reply