Press Statement by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee on
New Straits Times Suit Against Jeff Ooi and Ahirudin Atan
21 Jan 2007
I would like to call on fellow Malaysians to express their concern in the strongest possible way on the defamation suit filed by the NST and NST executives against Ahirudin Attan and Jeff Ooi.
The action by the NST and its officials is not simply an attempt at muzzling two prominent bloggers. It is also aimed at stifling critical public comment on key national issues, much of which is regularly purged from the mainstream media.
All Malaysians concerned about the freedom of speech and the enlarged space for more independent news and commentary provided by Screenshots, Rocky’s Bru and other citizen bloggers should rally in support of Ahirudin and Jeff.
The Malaysian Government should also not think it is an uninterested party. Already the action has received a great deal of international coverage and attention. The pursuit of the legal action will give an even bigger black eye to the country’s record on the rigid control of the media and restricted media freedom.
Finally, I would like to appeal to the sense of responsibility and higher patriotic spirit of the NST and associated suing parties to withdraw their legal action as this is a case that can cripple the development of a freer media in Malaysia.
Dr Lim is former director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies in Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, and a former UN researcher.
January 23, 2007 at 3:02 am
The middle class constitutes the intellectuals and thinking sector of society. if there is no opposing views from these educated, informed citizens, the country is heading for a definite decline in freedom of expression.
It is like a turbo cahrged vehicle without a brake system.
I fear for my country over the action of NST.
January 23, 2007 at 3:35 am
The way I see it the NST in reality is being used as a front for a couple of individuals to grind their axes using NST money. Quite apart from the fact that court cases cost a lot of money the cowards (plaintiffs) appear not to have the bollocks to sue the bloggers in their personal capacity. The Malaysian government, which has majority control of the NST, should not allow individuals to use the NST is such a manner.
January 23, 2007 at 5:53 am
Dr Lim,
I salute you for upholding your principles. Be strong. Right-thinking Malaysians and peoples of the world are with you.
January 23, 2007 at 6:37 am
We support the bloggers. Fight against Freedom.
January 23, 2007 at 7:47 am
The situation now is different from before. Try as they may, for every blogger they try to intimidate, thousands more will appear.
As more and more people use the internet, there is no way the government can cover up secrets like before.
Each time, the ministers contradicting each other is a sign that they are not telling the truth.
Why didn’t they take on BBC? Real bullies.
January 23, 2007 at 8:49 am
捍卫大马网络自由
已经没上网好多天了，透过余福祺知道了一下这件事。
【本刊林宏祥撰述】由于在部落格张贴批评《新海峡时报》（New Straits Times）与高层的贴文，著名Screenshots部落客黄泉安及Rocky’s Bru…
January 23, 2007 at 8:56 am
The interest of a few persons takes precedence of the whole nation. It is a very sorry state of affairs if the leadership of the country cannot see beyond the damage to the country’s international image against greed and incremental corrupt practices.
The nationhood is at stake. So is the future of our coming generation. Unless there is sincere cry for greater transparency, at least in news reporting, we will be in the rut in a short time. Our short sighted media and political leaders are creators of this future malady.
Think before the damage gets out of hand.
January 23, 2007 at 12:04 pm
thanks god we have so many people that supports us (bloggers). NST should be asshamed to themselves.
Thank a lot Dr Lim
January 23, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Good sense previals….
January 23, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Dr. Lim,
my respect to you for your actions and stand. Let us know what can we do as Malaysian who cares for our country.
January 23, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I totally agree with all that you said! We, the blogging people, declare our full support for freedom of expression, for Jeff &
Rocky. Bloggers, boycott the NST!!!
January 23, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Well said, Sir!
We, the bloggers fully support freedom of expression! Take action fellow bloggers! Spread the word! Boycott the NST!!!
January 23, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Our countries state of transparency is getting from bad to worse, people are seeing more and more issues swept under the carpet in hopes that the general public does not see such irresponsible acts of corrupts and greed.
We being the life line of the nation should have the liberty to practice freedom of speech and if the government are to continuously filter out such issues then what is the true practical purpose of News. Many of those seeking liberal unbiased news goes to blogs like Jeff Ooi’s to seek a better picture of whats going on in the country. Without bloggers like them, we will blindly read, watch and hear what ever that’s fed to us.
I salute Dr. Lim for his stand and I believe many of those out there reading this concurs.
January 24, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Dr. Lim,
U gain my respect with ur actions and stand.
Ahirudin Attan and Jeff Ooi, pls let us know if u required any help.
To all the blogger, I can think for the following action to send the protest to the few dirty hand behind NST:
1. Boycott the NST newspaper & publiser, stop buying the newspaper nor advertise on the newspaper.
2. Vote DAP or KeAdilan in next election.
3. Dig out dirty act of the few dirty hand behind NST.
4. Gain the support from the international NGO & other countries Government, authorities, senotor etc to send the protest formally, informally to NST & it majority share holder the rulling party UMNO so call “leader”.
5. Treat NST as “non-exist” never call them contact them for any news or press release.
6. Why not everyone of us start calling NST phone to tell them that we are disagree with their action. Let say if they receive 1000 call a day, they will feel the impact to their biz.
7. We can also fax our protest even just a few such as “withdraw ur defamation suit against Ahirudin Attan and Jeff Ooi otherwise we will withdraw our support to NST & its related party !”
…anymore action a person can do…..let’s brainstorming & act together…. ! Bloggers united, NO fear !
January 24, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I have known your country is more freedom than mine. Is it not? May you meet a good days.
January 24, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Sir,
You have my highest respect with your stands of what we, Malaysians are concerned about. A freer media. IF we’re really living in a democractic country, we deserve our freedom of speech.
January 25, 2007 at 6:52 am
“You cannot play with the animal in you without becoming wholly
animal, play with falsehood without forfeiting your right to
truth, play with cruelty without losing your sensitivity of mind.
He who wants to keep his garden tidy doesn’t reserve a plot for
weeds.”
Dag Hammarskjold
February 16, 2007 at 10:57 am
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April 7, 2007 at 6:30 am
I salute you for upholding your principles. I along with NGO’s support the bloggers. Fight against Freedom.