In a recent statement, former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad expressed strong opposition to the introduction of extra judicial rules in Malaysia, emphasizing that the nation has been independent for 68 years and has sufficient laws to ensure stability and development. He acknowledged the challenges of racial tensions and religious extremism that Malaysia has faced but firmly believes these issues can be resolved through the existing Constitution and legislation enacted by the Parliament.
Dr. Mahathir argues that the current government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is attempting to introduce illegal measures to maintain control over the populace. He criticizes the so-called 3R initiative, claiming it aims to silence the voices of the people, which he sees as a direct affront to democratic principles and the Constitution. He insists that while representatives in Parliament should maintain their independence, the 3R initiative threatens to undermine their ability to speak freely.
He points out that the newly proposed extra judicial rules, framed as an MOU for national stability, actually restrict the actions of people's representatives in Parliament. The MOU, which purports to combat hatred and racism, raises concerns about who will determine whether a speech is deemed inciting or hateful. According to Mahathir, this gives the government excessive power to censor opposition voices.
Additionally, he highlights the troubling condition that opposition representatives must sign the MOU to access government funding for their constituencies, labeling this practice as corrupt. He insists that public funds should be allocated equitably, regardless of party affiliation, and references past government actions that provided significant financial support to states led by opposition parties without conditions.
Dr. Mahathir emphasizes that it is the responsibility of the people, not the government, to address issues of hate speech and racism through democratic means, such as elections. He argues that the measures outlined in the 3R and MOU are designed to suppress dissent and enable governmental tyranny, ultimately allowing for misappropriation of public funds and electoral fraud.
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