Source Straits Times
KUALA LUMPUR - A MALAYSIAN human rights group criticised the government on Thursday for detaining a well-known political blogger for alleged sedition after he posted a picture of the country's flag upside down and urged other online writers to do the same.
Mr Syed Azidi Syed Aziz, who runs the popular 'Kickdefella' blog, was arrested on Wednesday at his home in northern Malaysia. He sparked a controversy last month when he marked his country's national day with an upside-down Malaysian flag as a form of protest against the government.
Mr Yap Swee Seng, director of local human rights group Suaram, said Mr Syed Azidi?s detention was 'unjustifiable' and aimed to curtail dissent.
'It's part of the attempt by the government to control the bloggers, to send warning signals to bloggers, to writers that they can face action if their statements or their views are threatening to the government,' Mr Yap said.
A police spokesman who declined to be identified citing protocol declined to say when Mr Syed Azidi would be charged. 'It's still under investigation,' he said.
Sedition in Malaysia is punishable by up to three years in prison.
Mr Syed Azidi's arrest comes amid a climate of political uncertainty as a resurgent opposition threatens to take over a government weakened by dissent and dissatisfaction against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership.
Another political blogger, a journalist and an opposition politician were arrested last week under the Internal Security Act, a law that allows for indefinite detention without trial.
The journalist was released a day later after widespread anger, including by the law minister, who resigned in protest.
Last month, Mr Abdullah said Mr Syed Azidi should be investigated, and called his protest 'a malicious act.' But Mr Syed Azidi said he would continue his campaign to highlight Malaysia's political and economic problems.
The government has repeatedly accused bloggers of spreading false information and lies to incite hatred.
Unlike the mainstream media, which is controlled by ruling political parties, bloggers often write highly critical, anti-government commentaries.
Mr Nathaniel Tan, a political blogger who has also been briefly detained in the past, wrote that the arrest was 'an attempt to strike fear into the hearts of Malaysians who speak out. ... Enough is enough.' -- AP
No comments:
Post a Comment