Bar council appalling double standard in Dr Zakir Naik’s case

Oleh: Lukman Sheriff*

Tebar Suara | I wish to put on record that as of todate, despite Dr Zakir Naik issue being a much publisized public-interest issue, the Bar Council has chosen to remain quiet.

I also wish to put on record that in this case it’s a well known publicized fact that the police has stopped the ceramah agama of Dr Zakir Naik on the ground of security reasons. (Please note the current development that it will likely be allowed if there’s a change of topic)

Despite the above, please be informed that todate for this case the Bar council has thus chosen the stand to remain quiet when (i) a person’s right to free speech is being curtailed and (ii) the authority exercises its power to curtail the freedom of speech.

I wish to assert that in opposing the Sedition Act, the Bar Council has taken a stand to defend without fear or favour anyone’s right to freedom of speech notwithstanding such speech being seditious or insulting other religion so long as it does not threaten a physical harm.

It is publicly known that Dr Zakir Naik has conducted talks on exactly the same banned topic many times before as evidenced by the youtube video. He does not appear to insult nor even use harsh words against another religion. What more seditious. Love adalah.

These are all publicly well known information. And despite all this, the Bar Council has appalling chosen to keep quiet.

Why is the Bar selective? Whom do they favour before they defend one’s right? Or whom do they fear to take a stand against? This is utter hypocrisy. It is this deep selectivity that people have much resentment against them. Without fear or favour konon.

*) Penulis Merupakan Pengurus Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA), Namun Tulisan ini hanya pandangan penulis bukan pandangan ISMA.