By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 7: Pro Reformist 98 Sarawak chairman Iswardy Morni today lodged a police report against Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof for his ‘instigating’ remark.
He made reference to the statement by Fadillah as reported in several local media, including DayakDaily, which reads: ‘Imagine if the opposition (Pakatan Harapan or PH) takes over our DUN (State Legislative Assembly). The first thing they will get rid of is our immigration autonomy, then followed by our Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO).’
Fadillah made this statement at the closing ceremony of the Santubong Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Seminar at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) in Demak Laut on May 5.
The statement, reckoned Iswardy, is very dangerous because it was referring to or predicting the possibility of a disturbance taking place and the removal of Sarawak rights by PH if they took over Sarawak.
“First, we are free in politics and to speak of our rights such as MA63, but at the same time, we should not instigate the people with a statement that brings negativities, such as sense of oppression and breach of peace,” he told reporters outside the Simpang Tiga One Stop Police Centre today.
“As a lawyer, he (Fadillah) should understand that it is an offence under Sedition Act and under Section 504 of the Penal Code on breach of peace.”
Iswardy cautioned that such remarks could incite or provoke tensions and insecurity among the people and that such misinformation could also stir a riot for those who might not fully understand.
“These are the things we do not want happening. Let’s engage in healthy politics, like how I debated and encouraged the exchange of views with (Dato) Idris Buang. This is what we call healthy politics,” he added.
He advised against getting into the level of inciting hatred, which Sarawak should avoid at all cost, and to refrain from repeating the tactics of Umno and PAS in fueling racial and religious sentiments.
“If PH was wrong, speak up and show the facts. We are not perfect,” he pointed out.
On the purpose of lodging this police report, Iswardy said he wanted the police to investigate this matter.
“There was a police report filed from Baram side urging the YB (Fadillah) to withdraw his statement, but I feel the action is too soft. Let police and justice take its place. If the law assumes that he (Fadillah) really did do something wrong, please take action against him.
“We want to prove in this new Malaysia that no one is above the law. Just because you are an ex-minister does not mean that you can say anything that you want,” he added.
Iswardy said that although everyone was entitled to their own views, there should be a limit to that freedom of speech, especially on causing divisiveness or hatred that could harm the broader Sarawak community and the nation as a whole. — DayakDaily
