PRESS STATEMENT
KUALA LUMPUR (20 FEBRUARY 2021) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) respects the decision of the Federal Court which found that Malaysiakini was guilty of contempt of court over the readers’ comments relating to the judiciary posted on its site. However, SUHAKAM is concerned that this decision could set a precedent that may have significant implications on the people’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of information in the country.
The freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 10 (1) of the Federal Constitution is not absolute and may be restricted by law in the interest of preserving national security, public order or morality and international relations. SUHAKAM would like to point out that in today’s digital age where open discussion and comments are made public, portal owners should not be liable for comments made by the public on their portal. In this regard, SUHAKAM stresses that the country’s legal framework should keep pace with the continuously evolving character of digital media which increasingly serves as a platform for discourse and expression on issues of public interest.
The media is an essential instrument that contributes towards greater awareness and protection of human rights through its reporting of the human rights situation in the country. In this regard, there should be an enabling environment for the media to work effectively to serve the public interest. Any demands or measures undertaken to remove digital content should be based on validly enacted law, independent oversight and through necessary and proportionate means to achieve the legitimate aims mentioned above.
Equal access to information, assurances on press freedom and responsible journalism will demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to promote and protect the people’s right to freedom of opinion and expression which includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
20 February 2021
Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my
KENYATAAN MEDIA
KUALA LUMPUR (20 FEBRUARI 2021) – Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Persekutuan bahawa Malaysiakini didapati bersalah menghina mahkamah menerusi komen pembaca mengenai kehakiman yang diterbitkan di laman beritanya. Walau bagaimanapun, SUHAKAM bimbang keputusan ini akan mencipta suatu duluan kehakiman yang mungkin akan memberikan implikasi terhadap hak rakyat kepada kebebasan bersuara dan kebebasan maklumat di negara ini.
Kebebasan bersuara yang dijamin di bawah Perkara 10 (1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan bukanlah sesuatu yang mutlak dan ia boleh dibataskan oleh undang-undang bagi tujuan mengekalkan keselamatan negara, ketenteraman awam, prinsip moral dan hubungan antarabangsa. SUHAKAM ingin menyatakan bahawa dalam era digital kini di mana perbincangan serta komen dibuat secara terbuka, pemilik portal tidak seharusnya dipertanggungjawabkan terhadap komen yang dibuat oleh pembaca dalam portal mereka. Dalam perkara ini, SUHAKAM menekankan bahawa rangka kerja undang-undang perlu mengikut arus perkembangan di mana meningkatnya penggunaan media digital sebagai platform perbincangan isu berkaitan kepentingan awam.
Media adalah alat penting yang menyumbang kepada kesedaran dan perlindungan hak asasi manusia yang lebih baik melalui pelaporan mengenai keadaan hak asasi manusia dalam negara. Dalam hal ini, suatu persekitaran yang membolehkan media berfungsi secara berkesan harus diwujudkan bagi memenuhi kepentingan orang ramai. Apa-apa permintaan atau langkah yang diambil untuk menurunkan kandungan digital harus berdasarkan undang-undang, pengawasan bebas melalui kaedah yang perlu dan berkadaran bagi mencapai matlamat sah seperti disebut di atas.
Akses sama rata kepada maklumat, jaminan kebebasan media dan kewartawanan yang bertanggungjawab menggambarkan komitmen Malaysia untuk mempromosi dan melindungi hak orang ramai kepada kebebasan berpendapat dan bersuara termasuk kebebasan berpendapat tanpa gangguan, serta hak untuk mendapatkan, menerima dan menyampaikan maklumat dan buah fikiran melalui apa jua saluran tanpa mengira sempadan.
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Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
20 Februari 2021
Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my
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