PETALING JAYA: After police reports were lodged against him for his comments on the Federal Court’s decision on Malaysiakini last week, Klang MP Charles Santiago says he was only exercising his right to free speech.
The DAP leader said it was important to note that Article 10 of the Federal Constitution gives the country’s citizens the right to free speech and expression.
“I was, therefore, exercising my fundamental right,” he told FMT.
Santiago was responding to a Malaysiakini report that said investigation papers under the sedition and multimedia laws have been opened on him and Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan for comments made after the Federal Court found the news portal guilty of contempt last Friday.
Kuala Muda OCPD Adzli Abu Shah has confirmed that two separate police reports were lodged by an individual from a non-governmental organisation based in Gurun, Kedah.
Last Friday, Malaysiakini was fined RM500,000 for contempt of court over the news portal’s readers’ comments.
Santiago said he should be able to express his views and concerns about the verdict without fear of contempt or police reports.
“The Federal Court’s decision was not unanimous. There was a dissenting judgment,” he said, adding that it is equally important to remember that Federal Court decisions have been reversed and as an MP, he is duty-bound to speak out.
He said police reports now seem to be a norm in this country.