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A REPLY TO - 'The Assassination of George W Bush' and 'Politik Baru YB J' by Mansur Puteh Mansur Puteh is misguided on the concept of freedom of speech. This pseudo intellectual’s selective application of rights and laws should be opposed by all concerned individuals.
agree with Mansur Puteh up to a point where the offending article is within the remit of freedom of speech. However I strongly disagree with the suggested application of this freedom by Mansur. I can say that Mansur Puteh is very confused on the concept of freedom of speech. 1. Freedom of speech means you can say whatever you like no matter how offensive but it also gives the freedom for others to react to it in speech (not in violence). 2. Freedom of speech is not absolute. There are laws which prohibit certain speech. For example encouraging people to riot is criminal in all countries depending on the context. Thus a joke song from Tenacious D to burn down City Hall is not criminal. If people are offended, then they have a right to voice out. If these people do not like the newspaper at all, they can boycott all they want. This is very different than actually having a ban imposed by law. Any law will risk restricting freedom of speech because laws are not very flexible in application. A defamatory article is also open to civil suit (not criminal) in court regardless of freedom of speech. If you say something defamatory then the person affected may seek redress. You either apologise or negotiate else be prepared to be sued. To be defamatory, the article does not even have to name the person. All it needs is to give enough reference for anyone to associate the character in the article with the real person. By the way, we cannot compare the reaction of the leaders of the West to certain movies with the situation of Ms Kok, Mansur Puteh here has taken the movies out of context. · In Independence Day, even though the White House was blown up, the president and the American people are portrayed as heroes saving the world. The White House was also not blown up by a human thus it does not portray any individual or group of people as White House blowing people. There are no aliens on earth whom I know of who would get offended and sue the film makers. It would be madness for the White House to make any fuss over good publicity. At least they have brains to know a good thing when they see one. · In the Day of the Jackal, the victim i.e. the president, was not presented in a bad light thus it is not defamatory. Make a movie where Ms Kok’s house explodes and she dies in the end because she defended all Malaysians regardless of race and the assassin is vilified as utterly evil; you won't find Ms Kok making much of a fuss. But publish an article where she is portrayed as insensitive towards one identifiable race and the assassination is seen as a natural consequence and wholly or partly justified then I'm not surprised at the rage. It’s not whether she dies, it’s what the article insinuates as to her character. Where was I when the Danish cartoons blasphemed the prophet Muhammad? Well, that's freedom of speech. It's also freedom of speech for Muslims to protest. It is however not freedom of speech when violence is involved or threatened. I still remember Menj making a remark of tattooing kafirs and never once I said that he should be banned as it is his right to freedom of speech. But it's also the right for others to ridicule him. Up to him to apologise, retract, etc. He is free to say what he likes; we are free to say what we think. Some Muslims protest about allowing some stage performers from performing in public, I say that’s fine as it is their freedom of speech. But obstructing, suggesting/threatening violence and invading venues is not freedom of speech, that’s hooliganism. Mansur Puteh, you are practising what the government is well known to practice in Malaysia, which is selective application of rights and laws. I can’t speak for others, but this really makes me want to puke. As much as you make me want to puke, I won’t stop you from making more disgusting statements. Mansur Puteh, you should perhaps spend more time abroad as you suggested, to learn more about freedom of speech. But if you are already abroad then I suggest you get out of your safe zone and pay much more attention. Who cares about what Hollywood and American literati has done when there is enough to confuse Malaysians with local examples. The evil is not USA or the West but just outside your front door! - AsamLaksa Some say it stinks and it’s made of rotten fish. Some say it’s too spicy or sour. Whatever it is, it is what it is.
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My source in Mongolia have just call me to inform me that I can leave at anytime I chose.So from now if You don't hear from me,then I'm secretly making my way to Mongolia.Guys if you have any question that you want me to poise to Shaariibuu Setev,kindly post it in MT and I will record it down.Try to make your questions short and clear,straight to the point,becos I will be engaging a translator.Thanks.