APRIL 1 — Have you ever done the following? Entertained any notion, fantasy or wet dream of having a change in government, felt upset and spoken out against strange and unfair policies. Stated that equality is better than today’s state of inequality among the people of this country. Reported on developments critical to the country’s future. Rallied people to show their concern through civil disobedience and peaceful assembly in the best Gandhian tradition of Satyagraha principles. 

If you have done or thought of any of the above, according to the standards of the day, you could be considered seditious or at least be investigated. Based on the actions of the police thus far, the bar is today that low with the insecurity of those in authority that high.

As of today, 114 people have been arrested this month for exercising their right to the freedom of speech and assembly as provided for under the Federal Constitution. 114 people in a single month.

An outside observer might be forgiven for thinking that we are some banana republic or basket case as opposed to a thriving democratic country, guided by a Parliamentary monarchy, elected representatives and a Constitution.

Many of us are concerned about the recent arrests of four editors and the publisher of The Malaysian Insider over an allegedly erroneous news report discussing hudud and the Conference of Rulers.

Without a doubt, media freedom does not mean freedom to publish wrong or false articles or indulge in malicious and unethical conduct. However, actual acts of sedition (whatever they may be or determined to be, today or tomorrow) should not be confused with the possibility of plain bad reporting.

If the report was inaccurate or just wrong, the representatives from the Conference of Rulers could have issued a statement pointing that out. TMI would then make an apology or retract the article. That is how it is done in developed countries and it is that simple. 

There is no justification to arrest and remand media personnel when the authorities could have just as easily conducted their investigations into such matters in a normal manner, without throwing editors and journalists into detention.

If the police force in the United Kingdom (since we love all things British) were to use the same yardstick as their Malaysian counterparts, a third of the inhabitants of London’s Fleet Street and the Canary Wharf would be squatting in detention at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.

These recent arrests as well as the overzealous use of the Peaceful Assembly Act and Sedition Act against politicians, activists, students and even bystanders, can only be interpreted as tactics of intimidation, fear and oppression aimed at silencing dissent and opposition. 

Members of the public hold a candlelight vigil outside the Dang Wangi police station following the arrest of editors from a news portal, March 31, 2015 — Picture by Choo Choy May.

Is this the democracy that we wish to see in Malaysia? Where people are fearful of speaking out for fear of arrest and prosecution? How do we expect the rakyat to participate in building this country when all the government wants to hear is all the good stuff and praises, but none of the unpleasant things and criticisms? That threatening and striking fear in others are acceptable in the name of maintaining peace and public order. That we should live in fear of persecution from the very people who are expected to provide protection and security for the people.

This government has lived in denial for far too long. Arresting people will not solve the problems that we face. Neither will it prevent Malaysians from standing up and speaking out on issues of concern and against injustice.

We shall neither be intimidated nor silenced.

Despite these arrests, journalists in this country must not lose heart or be discouraged. We depend on you to continue to report without fear or favour. We depend on you to help provide the spotlight on news, national concerns and bread and butter issues which affect our lives. We need you to tell us the news however bad or good it maybe.

As in the past, Malaysians stand together with members of the media against injustice.

I condemn these arrests and call for the police to conduct investigations in a manner which reflects our democratic and peaceful Malaysia. 

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.