U kill Freedom of Speech in the name of your a**'s democracy
I quote excerpts from Malaysiakini
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/62257
Ahirudin Attan and Jeff Ooi have been served with different suits relating to blog posts in their respective websites............
The lawyer who served the notice to Ahirudin represented News Straits Times Press (NSTP), its deputy chairperson Kalimullah Hassan, chief executive officer Syed Faisal Albar, group editor-in-chief Hishamudin Aun and former group editor Brendan Pereira.
“They have cited 48 postings considered defamatory and are seeking an injunction against my blog......" Ahirudin quipped.
In Nov 2006, Ahirudin and Jeff were embroiled in controversy with NSTP when they revealed that a column in the New Straits Times on Oct 30 under group editor Brendan Pereira’s by-line bore a strong resemblance in style and structure to a column by Mitch Albom in the Detroit Free Press of Sept 10, 2006.
NSTP was reported, to file legal action against Jeff Ooi and Ahirudin Atan for defamation over series of entries in Ooi's Screenshots and Atan's Skybru, allegedly, slandering top figures of the Malaysia's largest media group.
Both Ooi and Atan's actions will be heard separately at KL High Court on Jan 30 and Jan 25.
As the suit is yet to take place, I can't exactly reveal the nature of the dispute.(thesedays, we ought 2 b extremely wary watever b***** words spelt out by our lips). But it is believed, to be related to controversials surrounding the departure of former NSTP Group Editor, Brendan Pereira. He's been alleged by the bloggers of committing plagiarism before leaving the company. Both Pereira and NST denied such claim and stressed dat his departure got nothing to do with plagiarism watsoeve.
Also,
They had constantly submit in their article dat "...Brendan (Pereira)...as a...key spin-doctor for PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,...will only do the right thing for a living..."
(the question is - is dat defamatory in its nature?)
Now ppl, lets do sumting legal ere
Under the Law of Defamation (s far s I can remember) -smirking-
1) An individual can sue for damage to their reputation caused by material broadcast or published 2 a 3rd party, which includes online.
I submit - clearly understood
2) Any living individual or company can sue s long s they r reasonably identifiable from wat is said n the material is defamatory on them. Dis means dat it wud tend 2 lower them in da estimation of ritw-thinking people generally
I submit - Can sum1 properly explain how key-spin doctor came 2 exist?
3) The claimant doesn't need to show dat they suffered actual damage, nor dat wat was said was false. On the contrary, the defendant generally has to prove dat was true.
I submit - analysing dis, the claimants NSTP & Brendan have a gud case since Ooi's and Atan's statement 'key-spin doctor', in da eyes of a reasonable man, degrading and humiliating him. Breandn wudn't have 2 prove dat those r true, suffice to prove dat his reputation has been tarnished s a result of dat statements.
4) If invloved in an action 4 defamation, dere r number of possible defences, but generally u will need to have a gud evidence 2 back up wat u say.
I submit - it wud be hard 4 da defence team 2 shield if they can't really prove dat Brendan has a special 'affair' wif Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Plus ... da plagiarism thingy has to be proven on the balance of probabilities.
Moreover, according 2 my personal YO (lol ... applaud 2 Shahril Hamdan), living in a closed-sealed-system back home open da doors of speculaton n heresays, n no doubt might lead 2 public outcry. "We don't get access 2 files pertaining 2 govt projects, we can't b revealed how politicians get their funds."
(shahril, I quote u with proper reference tau. Jgn u sue I plak.)
It simply flashes our minds back when sum1 accuses KJ of corruption when he obtains his ECM Libra Shares. We cudn't even know whether dat sum1's accusation stands correctly or merely theories.
(FYI- dat sum1 isnt really mean sum1 literally. He is a 'somebody' extraordinary, unbelievale,iron-man figure in the country. =) I bet the Malaysians wud know him. At least.)
In my opinion, in an open society, we shud let criticism and expression flows. Perhaps, in a suttle way, both Jeff and Ahirudin were expressing their thoughts over da relationship of PM n Brendan. Dats wat they believe based from their own views.
So why be bothered?
At da same time, the Government, especially PM wud always be feel-free 2 counter dat expresion and prove dats not true. The public will judge based on da facts disclosed.Like wat he encounters on Endorgan's claim about his (PM) another 'affair' with da 6th richest man in Asia Ananda Krishnan. We da commoners aren't stupid.
OMG. Sumhow it reminds me to a really hot juicy-juicy case of da 2 Datuks. Datuk Syarifah Aini v Datuk Siti Nurhaliza. Its about defamation too with few distinctive facts with da current.
Da public shud be given more avenues 2 express their thoughts n conscience. No doubt, sumtimes it hits da nose of da big officials of da country, but ideas n minds shud be expressed n flowed. Y fear if u r with da truth?
Meanwhile, having said dat,on balance, it doest give da public a greenlight dat they cud arbitarily placing random, base-less criticism(s). It wud be immature, I wud say, 2 allege sum1 or sumting without having any substantials 2 support with. We aren't like Cik Bedah or Joyah at Kampungs selling hot sizzling stories without seeing with their own eyes. We r an intellect society aren't we? I call myself n others crusade members 2 always back up our arguments n thoughts wif facts n evidence otherwise our fight n spirit will b regarded as a total farce and a complete fiasco.
2 Jeff n Ahirudin:
Rest assured. Da truth will always prevail no matter wat as true democracy will never die. Feel disheartened be not as God loves da truth and protect da truth amongst us. If u need financial assistance 4 ur suit, dere u go. Hundreds of us alredi asking ur bank accounts n details. Just tell us and we get it sorted. U never walk alone s dere b hundreds behind ur back. .. Even we not physically b with u (like me), our prayers n blessings traverse da ocean and soil 2 call ur success.
To fellow socio-political bloggers (like me??) abroad n locally:
Lets stand up, holding our hands in solidarity, give our support 2 Ahirudin n Jeff. Give all wat U can. Lets make an action peeps n end dis polemic manouvres; becuz its not 4 us, but 4 da country dat we love and 4 da future generation dat we care ...
will keep u updated...
XXX
Sum International Headlines: With da courtesy from Jeffooi.com
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SOURCE: Associated Press via International Herald Tribune, Jan 18, 2007.jpg)
SOURCE: Reuters India, Jan 18, 2007.jpg)
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2 comments:
'The World' now turns to the other side and prefer that side much more. What can we do? Our VOTES might help, i guess. Hmmm...MARI MENGUNDI (nanti!)
I agree with a reservation.
It wud be better if we educate the society da need of voting the better ones.we need to educate them,let them aware and vote with full conscience and full understanding y r they doing dat.
getting votes r easy (these days loads of tactics been used to get unidentified votes) but to change da idealism@fikrah amongt da society is hard.n challenging.
all in all i believe in da movement of evolution rather than revolution. reason? da former lasts long.
God bless
xxx
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