Saifuddin Nasution: Govt respects free speech rights but democracy belongs in Parliament
Saifuddin Nasution said that due to this principle, his ministry did not place too much emphasis on the assembly held in the capital today.
'When the court says there's no need to notify the police, we go along with it.
'But the main issue I want to raise is this — if the Opposition truly respects democratic principles, I wish to pose the question, do they want to act outside Parliament or inside Parliament?' he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the opening of the Kedah Contingent Children Interview Centre (CIC) here today, which was also attended by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Awang Alik Jeman.
Saifuddin Nasution said that if demands towards the government were made outside Parliament, such as by holding assemblies, it would have no impact.
'In Parliament, the prime minister has opened up the opportunity fully, and the Opposition can table a motion of no confidence. In this case, the Prime Minister even said the Opposition's motion would be given priority, and government business would be postponed. But Parliament has been sitting for five days now, and it's been silent,' he said.
According to Saifuddin Nasution, if the Opposition understands the democratic process and wants to use democratic means to topple someone, it should be done through Parliament.
'All we see now is noise outside about the gathering. So, the people can now see — do they want to uphold democratic principles or simply create uneasiness?
'Do they want to paint an ugly picture, send negative signals to potential investors, just as the economy is beginning to move in a better direction?' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Ex-CJ Tengku Maimun says Federal Court was free of pressure during her tenure, dissenting decisions as proof
PUTRAJAYA, July 28 — Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat today dismissed the idea that she had influenced Federal Court decisions during her six-year tenure as the country's top judge. The recently retired judge pointed to her own dissenting judgments in constitutional cases as proof that judges had decided cases independently. 'For the past six years, the Federal Court had decided 19 cases involving various issues of constitutional law,' she said at the Palace of Justice here, after the swearing-in ceremony of Datuk Abu Bakar Jais and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the president of the Court of Appeal and te chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak respectively. 'And out of that 19 cases, I was dissenting in five cases. So I think statistically, five out of 19 represents about 25 per cent of the dissenting judgments.' Tengku Maimun said this showed judges were free from pressure, including from herself when she was chief justice. 'So I think that fact alone would manifest that judges decided independently without fear or favour, without external or internal pressure. 'Because if I had any influence on their decisions, then surely I would not be dissenting in five out of 19 cases involving especially constitutional law.' YAA Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli is pictured during the swearing-in ceremony as a new Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak at Palace of Justice in Putrajaya January 17, 2023. Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Tengku Maimun was asked about a recent speech by Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli who recently retired as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak and had alleged interference in a Federal Court case involving constitutional issues. 'Let's not make it a contest of words between two people or more than two people. Perhaps I can just share some facts,' she replied. Tengku Maimun retired earlier this month after serving as the first woman chief justice in Malaysia. She said her retirement has been peaceful. 'Alhamdulillah, feeling very free, enjoying quiet moments,' she said. She also congratulated those appointed to new roles in the judiciary today.
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Court dismisses lawsuit by sisters seeking declaration they were never Muslim
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The High Court in Shah Alam here has dismissed a lawsuit from twin sisters contesting their conversions to Islam. Judicial Commissioner Rozi Bainun ruled that the matter of religious status falls under the jurisdiction of the Shariah Court, Free Malaysia Today reported. She noted that the sisters had already initiated proceedings in the Shariah Court to determine their status but later withdrew the case. Rozi said the case should not have been withdrawn and urged the pair to present witnesses and evidence to support their claims of forced conversion. The sisters, now 26 years' old, alleged that they were compelled to convert to Islam at the age of 14 by their biological mother. Their mother, who had embraced Islam after remarrying a Muslim man, brought them to the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (Perkim) office in 2013. There, the twins said they were made to recite the 'kalimah shahada', the Islamic declaration of faith, without understanding its meaning and later received conversion certificates. They claimed they have never practised Islam, continued observing Taoist beliefs, and sought a court declaration that they were never Muslims, naming the Selangor government and Islamic council as defendants.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Abang Johari in Jakarta for pre-meeting ahead of Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation
Abang Johari's arrival at Jakarta today – Photo from Ukas KUCHING (July 28): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has arrived in Jakarta with the Sarawak government delegation to attend a pre-meeting session in conjunction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Indonesia and the 13th Annual Malaysia–Indonesia Consultation today. According to a report from Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Abang Johari and his delegation landed safely at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport at 11.17am local time before heading to Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta. He was accompanied by Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Sarawak Energy Berhad and PETROS) Dato Ibrahim Baki. During his stay in Jakarta, he is scheduled to join Anwar in several official programmes, including a meeting with senior editors from Indonesian media and members of the Malaysia-Indonesia Journalists' Friendship Association (ISWAMI), as well as a bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday. The programme will also see the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on health cooperation between Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Indonesia's Minister of Health. Both delegations are then scheduled to hold the 13th Annual Consultation session, which is an important platform for strengthening Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties. Abang Johari will also join the Malaysian delegation for a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The visit includes a tree-planting ceremony, a group photo session to mark Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, a guest book signing, and the symbolic handover of a painting to reaffirm regional cooperation. Abang Johari Tun Openg anwar ibrahim bilateral ties Indonesia-Malaysia lead
