Parliament cyberbullied? Don't make Malaysia a laughing stock, say lawyers

Rights lawyers have condemned the government's latest crackdown on free speech online after the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said its investigation into "offensive comments" related to the parliamentary session was part of efforts to curb cyberbullying.

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said Putrajaya was using public outrage over the recent tragic case of cyberbullying involving a YouTuber "to justify going after critics".

"This is shameful," said LFL director Zaid Malek, adding that it was "far-fetched, illogical and absurd" to categorise criticism of MPs and parliament as cyberbullying.

"Parliament is a public institution. It cannot be cyber-bullied," he said.

"Who then is being cyberbullied? Is it the institution of Parliament or the MPs who sit in it? Which MP has claimed that he has been cyberbullied?"

Zaid said it was disappointing that the deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Ramli Mohd Nor, had lodged a police report against a social media user.

He also said it was "laughable" if MPs could hide behind the claim that they had been "cyberbullied".

"It is a mockery of democracy and makes our country a laughing stock of the international community should we use the criminal law to protect elected MPs from harsh words or criticism or satire for their actions in office."

Last month, a lawyer's Facebook post criticising the Selangor government's decision to endorse a company led by DAP leader Hannah Yeoh's husband was blocked after MCMC accused him of "cyberbullying" the minister.

Shamsher Singh Thind has filed a judicial review against MCMC, which requested Facebook to impose a "geo restriction" on his post on Yeoh.

Zaid said the latest action is just another unlawful attempt by MCMC to justify its crackdown on government critics, adding that the Pakatan Harapan ruling coalition had shown "complete disrespect to the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech".

Criminalising criticism of MPs' conduct shows a fundamental ignorance of the purpose of Parliament, he added.

"Parliament is the grand inquest or sounding board of the nation, which functions for the benefit of the people. Parliament cannot treat the public as its enemies and lodge police reports against them. People have a democratic right to criticise parliament and the MPs who make up Parliament."