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Behave here as you will overseas, Ambiga tells leaders
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11, 2014:
Malaysian leaders behave moderately on the international platform, but not on home ground.
This was the opinion of human rights lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan who said that the things these leaders said outside the country and how they behaved abroad was the way the nation wanted them to be at home.
“When we look at the basis of how we successfully entered the United Nations Security Council, we can notice that there is an overflow of moderation.”
Speaking at the Bar Council’s forum on “Freedom of Expression” at the Straits Trading Building here today, Ambiga claimed that although what was said overseas may be hypocritical, she wished they could say the same things they said internationally here.
“Instead, when they come back into the country, they continue to be bullies.
“Just like in the situation involving me. Why not, rather than talking about me in the Umno General Assembly, you talk directly to me?
“And if you manage to persuade me, I will change.”
Also present at the forum was Umno’s Pulai Member of Parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be braver.
“‘1Malaysia was a very brave statement that he made, but I haven’t heard him talk about it again for a while now.
“He needs to be braver,” Nur Jazlan told those present at the Raja Aziz Auditorium.
The forum, which discussed freedom of expression in the country, saw the panellists discuss the Sedition Act 1948 at length, with Nur Jazlan being the only one in support of the Act.
Nur Jazlan, who is also the Public Accounts Committee chairman, said the Act was needed to regulate people’s behaviour in a country with diverse religions, cultures and races.
“Malaysia is about to face the effects of globalisation that is changing its character.
“I was all for the Sedition Act to be retained even before the Prime Minister announced that the Act was to be retained.
“I was also all for Internal Security Act (ISA) to be retained, but the government decided to revoke it. The problem, however, is not with the Acts. It is with the application.”
Meanwhile, he added that the country was moving forward, but slowly.
“With the heightened political attacks carried out in the social media, the government was at loss at how to handle the pervasive situation, resulting in it retreating back into its shell.
“People should compromise. Don’t just focus on one or two negative issues. Instead look at the environment in total.
“Remember that every action has a reaction. If you are not happy with something, every four to five years (during the general election), you have the right to express your thoughts through the votes.”
Other panellists at the forum included thespian Joe Kukathas, student activist Adam Adli and cultural activist Eddin Khoo.