KUALA LUMPUR, January 26 – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has cautioned against making baseless allegations that could jeopardize Malaysia’s democracy while emphasizing the government’s commitment to prioritizing freedom of speech. Fahmi stated that freedom of speech is upheld in the country, as evident from various content on social media platforms like TikTok and the opposition’s ability to express their views. However, he stressed that this freedom should not be abused for slander, unfounded allegations, or threats to democracy.
The minister’s remarks came in response to former Bersih 2.0 chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan’s call for the Unity Government to address fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and the existence of the Sedition Act. Fahmi assured that the Sedition Act would be applied selectively, focusing on cases that could impact the royal institution or pose a threat to democracy. Fahmi’s comments were made after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CelcomDigi, SoftBank, and SC-NEX.
In response to Ambiga’s disappointment with the pace of reform policies under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, Fahmi highlighted the government’s comprehensive efforts, including the MADANI Economy, National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), and Central Database Hub (Padu) system. He expressed readiness to meet Ambiga and provide detailed explanations about the Unity Government’s reform initiatives, emphasizing their forward-looking perspective beyond anti-corruption measures. Fahmi believes that political stability will contribute to the success of planned policies.
