Media, Public Should Not Misuse Freedom, Says Nazri

SEREMBAN, March 6 (Bernama) -- The media and public have been told not to misuse freedom of expression in this country by spreading baseless accusations through the Internet amid a climate of government openness.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that if the individuals concerned had concrete proof of wrongdoings, they should be bold enough to come forward and report them to the relevant authorities for action to be taken.
"We should view this as the government's openness where the people are now free to express their views on various issues compared to before. But I would advise the complainants to use the right channels as we have a legal system."
Nazri was speaking to reporters after officially opening the Negeri Sembilan Bar Committee building and the Bar Council's Legal Aid Bureau here Tuesday.
He said that if there was to be any complaint against an individual, it should be done in writing with the proof attached and sent to the authorities concerned for the complaint to be investigated.
He criticised irresponsible individuals who misused the Internet by making malicious accusations to the extent of damaging the victims' reputation.
"Don't tell me every posting in the blogs which carry such accusations must be investigated. Anyone can put anything in the blogs. What is important is that the blogger or commentator must be responsible for his or her accusations against others.
"The best thing to do is for the accuser to write directly to the authorities concerned to avoid controversies, like the accuser being investigated instead of the accused," he said.

tunku : yes nazri I agree with you remarks that not to misuse freedom of expression especially under current regime that is very open to critics. The government of today is so good that they allow former PM criticizing the current PM and he has been given lots of freedom to meet any party branches and divisions to point out his thoughts.
I agree that those people should come forward and give evidence to support their accusation. The police can choose not to investigate the accusation from internet especially from unregistered website, there are millions of accusations in the internet. Another thing is why worry if you have done nothing wrong.

p.s wonder what has happened to the “hatchet man”