PN slams govt over freedom of speech after TikTok action

Perikatan Nasional's (PN) youth wing today hit out at the government over its action against TikTok users, describing it as an attempt to clamp down on the freedom of speech. 

PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the move went against Pakatan Harapan's (PH) manifesto which had promised to uphold the freedom of speech and assured of no government action against those critical of the administration. 

The Pasir Mas MP said that the opposite had instead occurred.

"We condemn the acts of intimidation or provocation, especially against TikTok users and the youth who are said to be spreading slander against the government when that is merely an element of the freedom of expression," he said at a press conference in Parliament. 

PH had pledged to uphold media freedom and the freedom of speech in its manifesto for the 15th general election. 

It had also vowed to abolish acts seen as oppressive by revising and repealing provisions that could be used to restrict the freedom of expression, including the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act. 

Fadhli said the action against social media users was also becoming more widespread, citing the notice issued to a man who was recently asked to present himself at the Bandar Hilir police station to assist in an investigation. 

"This is seen as an effort to restrict the freedom of speech of the youth," he said. 

"So I would like to ask the government whether it is in fact doing this, in spite of the vows that PH made in its manifesto."