Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim should not use the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as his "personal police”.
"This is a serious abuse of power that violates freedom of speech and embarrasses this country," PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (right)said in a statement.
"This must be stopped immediately. It is not only an affront to freedom of speech but also an insult to academic freedom.”
Salahuddin was commenting on the ongoing MCMC investigations into remarks by constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari, in relation to the Selangor sultan's decree involving the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais).
Rising to Aziz's defence, Salahuddin said the remarks had been made based on the law lecturer’s academic work.
He also blasted MCMC for failing to state the merits of its investigation and the specific laws involved.
Thus far, there has only been “hysterical and aimless” action by those who want to use the MCMC to “apple-polish” the authorities.
The sultan's decree was on the Jais‘inspection’ of a thanksgiving dinner by welfare NGO Harapan Komuniti, held at the premises of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church on Aug 3.
Jais said it had acted on a tip-off that attempts were being made to convert Muslims at the multi-racial event, at which 12 Muslims were present.
The sultan later declared that Jais was right in conducting the search of the premises, but that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any party.
Aziz had last week described the decree as "unusual" and "inconsistent", which prompted some quarters to condemn his remarks.
He has since stood by his statement, stating that sultans are not above criticism and that this does not amount to sedition, as long as it does not advocate the abolition of the institution of the royalty.
"This is a serious abuse of power that violates freedom of speech and embarrasses this country," PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (right)said in a statement."This must be stopped immediately. It is not only an affront to freedom of speech but also an insult to academic freedom.”
Salahuddin was commenting on the ongoing MCMC investigations into remarks by constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari, in relation to the Selangor sultan's decree involving the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais).
Rising to Aziz's defence, Salahuddin said the remarks had been made based on the law lecturer’s academic work.
He also blasted MCMC for failing to state the merits of its investigation and the specific laws involved.
Thus far, there has only been “hysterical and aimless” action by those who want to use the MCMC to “apple-polish” the authorities.
The sultan's decree was on the Jais‘inspection’ of a thanksgiving dinner by welfare NGO Harapan Komuniti, held at the premises of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church on Aug 3.Jais said it had acted on a tip-off that attempts were being made to convert Muslims at the multi-racial event, at which 12 Muslims were present.
The sultan later declared that Jais was right in conducting the search of the premises, but that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any party.
Aziz had last week described the decree as "unusual" and "inconsistent", which prompted some quarters to condemn his remarks.
He has since stood by his statement, stating that sultans are not above criticism and that this does not amount to sedition, as long as it does not advocate the abolition of the institution of the royalty.
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