“The MCMC’s statement provides no explanation whatsoever as to how making comments on Parliament amounts to cyber-bullying.” — LFL director Zaid Malek.

KUALA LUMPUR (July 18): Parliament is a public institution and cannot be cyber-bullied, said human rights non-governmental organisation Lawyers for Liberty (LFL).

In a statement on Thursday, LFL director Zaid Malek took the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to task over the agency’s statement on Wednesday that it is investigating members of the public for making alleged “offensive comments” on social media in relation to the parliamentary session, which the MCMC claimed is to “curb the widespread phenomenon of cyber-bullying in society”.

“Any reasonable person can see that it is far-fetched, illogical and absurd to connect cyber-bullying with comments made on Parliament.

“Who then is being cyber-bullied? Is it the institution of Parliament, or the members of Parliament who sit in it? Which MP has claimed that he has been cyber-bullied? The MCMC’s statement provides no explanation whatsoever as to how making comments on Parliament amounts to cyber-bullying,” he said.

Zaid posited that this appears to be a high-handed and unlawful attempt by the MCMC and government to justify cracking down on public criticism by using the recent public debate on cyber-bullying as an excuse.

He said through the threat of criminal action and investigation against the people for criticising and commenting on parliamentary proceedings, the Pakatan Harapan-led government had shown a complete disrespect to the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech contained in Article 10(1)(a).

“It has continuously used Section 233(1)(a) of the Communication and Multimedia Act to quell criticism of the government.

“And now the government and MCMC appear to be leveraging a recent tragic case of cyber-bullying, which led to a death, to justify going after critics. This is shameful,” said Zaid.

Zaid also lambasted MPs, and said those who hold office are subject to public scrutiny, and they must embrace criticism just as they do praise.

“Thus, the notion that MPs can cower behind claims of being 'cyber-bullied' is a laughable one that cannot pass muster in a democratic nation,” he said.

Zaid added that if left unchecked, the latest action of the MCMC will be the beginning of a descent into tyranny.

“Many people are already being investigated, and more are sure to come as Parliament or MPs or their proxies are emboldened to threaten criminal action against critics.

“We note with disappointment that even the Dewan Rakyat's Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor has lodged a police report against a social media account user,” he said.