08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Freedom of speech must not be misused for slander
KUALA LUMPUR: Every PKR member has the right to express their views, but this must be exercised with discipline and responsibility, without resorting to slander or defamatory remarks, said its vice president, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
He said freedom of speech is a core strength of both the party and the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but it must be practised ethically.
"This is the strength and greatness of PKR and the current government, where everyone has the right to speak. But I want to remind everyone, do not spread slander. In Islam, slander is considered a sin worse than murder.
"We have freedom of speech, but when it is misused to slander others, that freedom is lost. There is nothing wrong with voicing opinions, as long as they are based on facts and expressed with discipline," he said.
He was speaking after officiating the launch of Changemakers IICS and a social entrepreneurship seminar organised by the Malaysian Entrepreneurship Institute here today.
Present were the ministry's deputy secretary-general (policy and monitoring) Noor Afifah Abdul Razak, Insken's chief executive officer (CEO) Viviantie Sarjuni and Subang INTI International College CEO Dr Jane Lim.
Ramanan, who is also Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said PKR remains stable under the leadership of Anwar, who will continue to serve as the party's president and prime minister.
"There will naturally be one or two individuals who voice their views. In politics, that is normal. So we must be open to everyone's perspectives," he added.
Yesterday, nine PKR members of parliament called for a royal commission of inquiry to investigate what they claimed were alleged irregularities in the appointment of senior judges, including the Chief Justice.
They also will formally request that proceedings and an inquiry be conducted by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform, including top government officials to testify.
Leading the group is Pandan MP and former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who said they would write officially to the Chairman of the Committee, William Leong and all committee members.
