Freedom of Speech in Blog

Freedom of the speech is defined as speak or write without censorship and freely. (Wikipedia 2008)

According to Article 12.a of the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Right which states that: -
“Every person has the right to express his thoughts and beliefs so long as he remains within the limits prescribed by the Law. No one, however, is entitled to disseminate falsehood or to circulate reports that may outrage public decency, or to indulge in slander, innuendo, or to cast defamatory aspersions on other persons”. (Chin Thye Choo 2008)

Raja Petra Kamarudin was arrested under Internal Security Act on September 12, 2008 for allegedly being a threat to security, peace and public order. (MalaysiaKini 2008) He is 58-year-old and as an editor of popular news portal Malaysia Today.This is second time under arrest with ISA for comments allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad. Fist time is charged with sedition and defamation. He is charged under Section 73(1) of the ISA, is alleged to have posted articles deemed seditious and that also belittle Islam. (Malaysiadigest 2008)

( Image by: Susan Loone)

According to Internal Security Act 1960, ISA is an act to provide for the internal security of Malaysia, preventive detention, the prevention of subversion, the suppression of organized violence against persons and property in specified areas of Malaysia, and for matters incidental thereto. ( Legal Research Board 2005)

Several religious groups which are Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (Maiwp) and Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) had lodged police report against him. The groups complained his comment in an article entitled "I Promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim" allegedly used sentences that insulted Muslims. (MalaysiaToday 2008)

In Malaysia, as a journalist working must be careful of the freedom of speech and especially is related to religion because of the question who decides what constitutes freedom of speech and what does not.

References:

Wikipedia 2007, Define Freedom of speech, viewed 29 October 2008, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech>

Knol 2008, Freedom of speech in Malaysia, viewed 29 October 2008, <http://knol.google.com/k/chin-thye-choo/freedom-of-speech-in-malaysia/1agmso9kv6804/3#>

MalaysiaKini 2008, Raja Petra arrested under ISA, viewed 29 October 2008, <http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/89544>

Malaysiadigest 2008, Raja Petra Kamarudin, Teresa Kok and Ta Hoon Cheng Detained Under ISA, viewed 29 October 2008, < http://malaysiadigest.blogspot.com/2008/09/raja-petra-kamarudin-teresa-kok-and-tan.html>

Legal Research Board 2005, Internal Security Act 1960, International Law Book Services, Malaysia.

MalaysiaToday 2008, Raja Petra’ Arrested Under ISA, viewed 29 October 2008, <http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/12551/84/>