Govt not restricting freedom of speech as claimed by Tun M - Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: The government has never acted like a 'big brother' and restricted freedom of speech as claimed by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi said the allegations were unfounded because the Unity Government has never prevented or restricted Dr Mahathir from making statements or attending events.

"He can still move freely, attend or not attend events, and issue statements," he said at a post-Cabinet meeting press conference today.

The Pakatan Harapan communications director suggested that Dr Mahathir reflect on the approach taken during his administration as Prime Minister, which was clearly like 'night and day' compared to the freedom provided by the current government.

"It's not my place to advise him, but back then (during Dr Mahathir's administration), I recall newspapers being shut down, and people who demonstrated on the streets were beaten, arrested, kicked, and jailed.

"It was around this time 26 years ago, a Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) was stripped of his position and dragged to the court, beaten in detention...all of that happened during Dr Mahathir's time," he said.

On Tuesday, Dr Mahathir alleged that Malaysians are not free to speak out because they cannot discuss issues related to the 3Rs - religion, race, and royalty, adding that even during the British colonial era, people had more freedom to express their opinions through media, forums, and demonstrations without needing government approval.

-- BERNAMA

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