Freedom of expression not licence to insult administration, says minister

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said today the people are entitled to express differences of opinion but they cannot condemn and insult the country's leaders and administrative institution. He said the people should not engage in a culture of opposing the national democratic system, especially putting pressure on the administrative system of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak through the social media. "As a democratic country, Malaysia gives its people room to express differences of opinion but they cannot freely condemn and insult our leaders and the institution of the Prime Minister (national administration). "Democracy recognises differences of opinion but insult and slander are not the culture and practice of Malaysian society," he said when launching the book "If A Cat Had Nine Lives - The Legacy of Najib Razak" in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Najib's involvement in politics in Kuala Lumpur. Salleh said there was much perception than reality in the environment perpetrated by the social media that demanded drastic action to lessen or cease the negative impact on society. "In that context, we are talking about the need to change from a situation where there is too much politicking and responding to baseless accusations and allegations ceaselessly hurled at the Prime Minister's administration." Salleh said this matter could not be allowed to go on. "We have the right to express opinions and views but we must remember that we do not have the right to destroy the nation. "We have freedom of speech but we do not have freedom to destroy because we have built this nation of ours as an independent state and the people are living in peace." – Bernama, February 19, 2016.]]>