RECENT news of the police arresting several men over claims that they had insulted or made ‘threatening remarks’ against Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor did not sit well with netizens, who took to social media to vent their frustration.

‘Kedah MB’ trended on Twitter following news of a senior citizen’s arrest in the wee hours of the morning over a viral video which allegedly insulted the PAS politician following his recent gaffe on freezer containers.

According to the police, the nine-minute Facebook video uploaded by the 61-year-old man was politically motivated, and intended to insult, bring down the dignity and tarnish Sanusi’s reputation.

Three more arrests followed suit after a special officer to Sanusi lodged multiple reports against those who have taken to social media to call out Sanusi over his remarks.

Users @NicknameEsther and @nowherefarhan had this to say:

Meanwhile, user @Invisib85100194 questioned the police’s speed in responding to the complaints.

“How is PDRM Kedah so fast in tracing the messages sent through Facebook insulting the Kedah MB? Meanwhile, our PDRM in KL has problems tracing messages sent to Opposition MPs over offers to join the PN Government?”

The police reports lodged by Sanusi’s aide also prompted netizens to weigh in about criticism that politicians receive from the rakyat.

“Politicians should be open to criticism especially by the rakyat they serve. It is how voters can keep the leaders accountable for their words and actions. This is why using the law to threaten and muzzle critics instead never reflect well on the politicians,” opined user @firdaus_h.

Malaysian politicians, too, offered their two cents worth.

“Why is the Kedah MB a protected species? He can insult others, but the public cannot insult him,” said former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

Similarly, Selangor’s Bandar Utama state assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said, “A total of 19,991 new cases were reported today. Meanwhile, our Government is spending more time lobbying people around while the Kedah MB keeps getting people arrested for insulting him,” she lamented. – Aug 11, 2021

https://focusmalaysia.my/politicians-should-be-open-to-criticism-say-netizens/