Are we a 'peeping Tom nation', prominent newsmen ask after Fahmi's threat to monitor chats

Putrajaya has come under fire from prominent journalists after Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil's latest announcement that the authrotities intend to monitor and take action against comments on social media, including those made on chat applications, as comments critical of the Anwar Ibrahim administration continue to flood various online platforms.

Veteran journalist Johan Jaafar described the government's announcement as excessive and unnecessary.

"I fear that we are heading towards a 'peeping Tom nation'. Don't forget that people have their personal rights, privacy as well as human rights," said the national journalism laureate who has headed a number of major media companies.

Fahmi recently said the government would take action against comments on social media platforms, including those made on WhatsApp and other chat applications.

The minister, who has frequently shown displeasure with media outlets for carrying uncomplimentary reports on the government, also referred to the recent assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump.

"There have been some immoral and criminally intimidating statements being circulated on WhatsApp," Fahmi said, as quoted by Bernama.

"Some said that the ones who should have been shot were not just there (in the US), they hinted at a threat of violence, a criminal threat, a death threat against the prime minister. It’s okay to have different opinions, but don’t go to the extreme. That’s outrageous."

Under Fahmi, authorities have frequently taken action to remove content critical of the government on platforms such as TikTok and Facebook.

Statistics released by TikTok placed the Malaysian government at the top of a list of requests for content removal during the second half of last year.

Fahmi's tenure also saw Malaysia falling 34 spots in the annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

Read: Stop playing 'Big Brother', senior journalists tell MCMC as media curbs continue

Johan reminded the government of its promise to ensure freedom of speech and the free expression of views.

He also said the Communications and Multimedia Act already had provisions for action against "offensive comments" online.

"But don't violate the rights and freedom of people to interact, including chatting with each other in a free, casual and open environment on social media."

'Childish'

Former Utusan Malaysia senior editor Zaini Hassan meanwhile described Fahmi's behaviour as "childish".

"I am not sure whether the advisers or director-generals in the ministry have been advising him correctly. Maybe this is his own view.

"If it is means calling up chief editors over comments on social media, it has gone too far," said Zaini, who now heads online portal BebasNews.

Zaini also said the government had no right to control views and how they are expressed.

"If all government instruments are used to suppress the voice of the people, it goes against the very constitution.

"This government is supposed to implement reformist policies, but they are doing the exact opposite," he said.

Zaini instead urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, an agency under Fahmi's ministry, to deal with the problem of offensive comments sent through fake social media accounts, not genuine criticism.