REMEMBER MIND YOUR LANGUAGE TV SERIES?

It is just compelling to read reports, as more and more non-political personalities are probed under the Sedition Act 1948.

No, I'm not surprised with all political leaders and activists probed and charged, but I'm quite appalled, seeing academicians being investigated and prosecuted under Sedition Act 1948.. 

Latest being a University Malaya Law Professor Azmi Sharom, who will be charged in a sessions court today (Tuesday) over his article titled, "Take Perak crisis route for speedy end to Selangor impasse, Pakatan told" which was published in an online news portal on August 14.

Azmi has joined opposition politicians such as Padang Serai MP N. Surendran, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli (PKR), Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (PAS) and Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer (DAP) who are all probed and charged under the Act.

State lawmaker Nizar Jamaluddin was charged with criminal defamation while Federal lawmakers Seputeh MP Teresa Kok (DAP) and Batu MP Tian Chua are also facing trial under the same Act.

The use of the Sedition Act are not subject to political leaders and activists now, but political party supporters who are alleged to have made their instigation and/or ill-mannered remarks on social media network. 

Inspector General of Police (IGP) TS Khalid Abu Bakar wrote on his twitter "Tiada maaf lagi kpd sesiapa jua yg menyalahgunakan rangkain media utk menghina/mengutuk dan menghasut. Tunggu tindakan @PDRMsia" (Sorry no cure / No more sorry to whoever found abusing the media network for insulting, cursing and inciting. Wait for action from PDRM.), a clear warning to all users of the social media not to ignore "limitations" on the use of the same.

Well, if my opinion is asked, I would say I'm quite divided on this move by IGP/PDRM.  

Divided - for being aware of the disparaging, if not bigoted remarks/postings by friends over the social network, I can't really say NO if action(s) is/are taken against them. 

I can understand that they were merely criticizing on issues of national interest, but the way the criticisms were made sounded derogatory, let alone inciting hatred.

A critic myself, I have never equate leader(s) or anyone with animal(s). 

I used to criticize Umno/Barisan Nasional (BN) even before I started blogging, and here are Some of my letters to the Editor published in Malaysiakini news portal

Of late, I have also been criticizing the PR (the alliance pact) particularly PKR, for it's Kajang Move plan which I personally believed, the root of Selangor MB (chief minister) crisis.

For instance - I have nothing personal against Wan Azizah, but I would certainly be disappointed if the perception and/or fear of her being a remote-control MB to certain leader(s) of her party becoming a reality in the near future. 

Being bold in our criticisms is one thing, but blatantly ignoring the "boundary" is another.  

If we can't be constructive in our criticisms, do we have to be vulgar, just to drive home our points?

When the authority acted, more often than not - people would say "selective prosecution" or any other phrase(s) best fitting their desired description.

Little did they realized that they had used words and phrases bordering sedition, incitement and/or bigotry.

Twitter user Nasrul Omar (@ennasrul) has called the IGP Khalid as "anjing BN" (Dog to BN). 

Nasrul surely knows what are dogs to the Muslims.

Victor Wong (@wonghoicheng) wrote "Bastardization of @PDRMsia. Thanks to the ruthless @KBAB51 Henrich Himmler of Malaysia.

Investigation papers have since been opened on the above Twitter users.

I have also browsed the wall of another Twitter user, Dr Colin Fu (@drcolinfu) who was reported to be probed under the Sedition Act. 

I prefer not to mention some of his vulgar posts, but let readers browse and form your own opinion. 

The above are not probed for their criticisms, but rather their choice of words and phrases that land them in trouble with the authority. 

I'm divided - while in the process of repealing the Sedition Act with a National Harmony Bill, the use of it was even more rampant. 

I'm divided - if the use of Sedition Act is more to oppress and/or suppress especially, the opposition leaders and/or anyone inclined to the opposition.