Responding to communications minister Fahmi Fadzil’s remark that there is a difference between freedom of speech and slander, LFL director Zaid Malek said addressing slander was no excuse to curtail freedom of expression.

In a statement, Zaid maintained that Pakatan Harapan had used the same laws it promised to repeal for being oppressive, such as the Sedition Act.

“To use ‘slander’ as an excuse to crack down on freedom of expression is dishonest, evasive and hypocritical.

“Slander is not a matter for criminal law to punish. Anyone slandered can file a civil suit for defamation. This includes the prime minister as well.

“The prime minister is not entitled to any special protection under criminal law. All citizens are equal under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution,” he said in a statement.

Yesterday, Fahmi responded to Amnesty International’s claim that freedom of expression in Malaysia had declined after more than a year under the unity government.

The unity government spokesman said he acknowledged the group’s viewpoint but maintained that “there’s a difference between freedom of speech and slander”.

The minister also said that no journalist had been arrested or news portal shut down in the time that the unity government had been in power.

However, Zaid said these were not appropriate measurements to gauge press freedom in Malaysia, pointing out that the communications ministry’s code of ethics for journalists had been rejected by multiple newsmen.

He also said that constantly threatening criminal action for “fake news” or “slander” could curtail open and meaningful discourse on issues of public interest.