Category: Politics & government

A lot of us Malaysians consider our government as the main bulwark towards greater free speech in this country. I thought so too until the Non Sequitur and New Straits Times (NST) controversy occured. As the issue unravels, it’s becoming clear that the principle hurdle towards free speech is not the government. Instead, it is the society itself; us.

The more I look at it, the more convinced am I of the fact that Malaysians, even the urbanites that on the surface are for free speech, are unprogressive and illiberal wherever the ideal is concerned. Instead, they practice selective free speech, which is an act of hypocrisy. In this controversy, same people that chastise the government for blatant disrespect of free speech are calling for censorship of NST. It’s scary to see these people working to undermine free speech. A fifth column in the most unexpected vocal camp – bloggers like Jeff Ooi!

Jeff Ooi is probably a free speech icon in Malaysian blogosphere. Worse, he seems to be jumping up and down seeing NST getting into trouble. It will be crucial to keep the whole episode in mind the next time Jeff Ooi get into trouble.

While bloggers don’t represent the Malaysian society as a whole, it does give a glimpse of what’s happening. And while not all Malaysians are supporting actions against NST, it seems to me, a sizable numbers are.

All I want to say is that, if we ourselves, Malaysians disrespect free speech and criticize other for disregarding free speech, then we shouldn’t blame the government for practicing censorship. We shouldn’t even get mad whenever the government practices it. After all, it’s we that elect the government into office. The government is an image of us, the people, the majority.

The right thing to do in the name of free speech is to come to NST’s defense. No censorship whatsoever.

Finally, in form of reductio ad absurdum: if NST is guilty of publishing and republishing the strip, then Jeff Ooi is also guilty of republishing it. If NST is being punished for publishing the strip, so should Jeff Ooi. Since Jeff Ooi supports action against NST, then Jeff Ooi must support actions against himself.

Absurd? If yes, then there must be a flaw in reasoning somewhere. Right?

Sarawak Tribune made itself infamous in Malaysia by publishing the 12 cartoons that were produced by The Jutland Post. After so much pressure, Sarawak Tribune closed down. And now, New Straits Times (NST), a newspaper which garners greater influence than Sarawak Tribute in Malaysia, published a Non Sequitur comic strip that tried to squeeze the humor out of the controversy started by a rightwing Danish newspaper. Apparently, some Malaysians got upset by a comic strip that doesn’t even start to draw Muhammad, the Islamic prophet. And guess what those Malaysians want?

They want to censor the NST. Even those bloggers that claim to speak for free speech.

To me, the comic does not even come close to the level of The Jutland Post. The strip doesn’t even make fun of the prophet. But that is not the case and I doubt those that are pushing for censorship care about that. This is not a case whether I, or anybody, loving or abhorring the strip. This is a case of free press and speech.

Regardless, the Malaysian government however risks of being hypocritical to the offended by the strip if the government won’t act against NST. I’d rather have a hypocritical government than living a society that develops a knack for censorship.

If a person is actually for free press and free speech, that person shouldn’t and wouldn’t want NST to be censored, regardless of how NST had reacted to the suspension of Sarawak Tribune. So, if you’re one of those out there that support the move to censor NST, please, don’t call yourself as a person that is for free speech or free press. Else, you would be as hypocritical as your government.

Those that are for free press and speech should defend NST from any censorship. This is especially so when NST is one of Malaysia’s principle newspapers. If we allow NST to be censored, what do you think will happen to the other papers?

Think of the scenario Singapore. Alright, alright. Just taking a cheap shot. Sorry Singaporeans. I love you all!

Let’s do it better. Think Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. Of People’s Republic of China. Or North Korea. We’ll be in league with them. Hell, our ranking in Reporters’ Without Borders would probably take a nose dive.

A systematic erosion of free press. Is that what you want?

I know we should strive for consistency. But do we want a government that censors everything for the sake of consistency? The only consistency here is the continuing erosion of free press and speech and I don’t want that consistency.

If you want consistency, then think in the way that “if NST is allowed to offend some people that and gets away, then Sarawak Tribune should be allowed to operate“. Not in the way of “if Sarawak Tribune’s license was revoked because it offended other people, then so should NST’s.”

Observe the difference.

In this scenario, New Straits Times is a city wall. If the city wall is breached, there goes free press in Malaysia. Therefore, think before you speak. Think before you take the next step. Free press and free speech are at stake here.