Cover image via themalaysianinsider.comIGP hits back at critics for slamming the use of Twitter to crack down on dissent
11 Feb: Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has been very active on Twitter lately, especially in publicly authorising PDRM to investigate tweets he deems as seditious remarks
After the sodomy trial, Khalid Abu Bakar tweeted to PDRM, asking for a sedition investigation on Rafizi Ramli for insinuating that the judges were bribed, and on Nga Kor Ming for asking the rakyat to stand up against the draconian regime
Khalid's requests extend beyond the sodomy ruling. He also called for an investigation on a tweet alleging police corruption and another tweet reply to Najib saying that the MH370 was a conspiracy
Over the past week, controversial cartoonist Zunar was arrested for three days under the Sedition Act over a tweet criticising the judges in the Anwar verdict
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Human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen was also charged for sedition over a tweet that allegedly accused Jakim for promoting extremism
Khalid's tweet happy move started in 31 August 2014 when he publicly ordered PDRM to investigate two tweets that ridiculed him and Barisan Nasional
According to Human Rights Watch, the only thing Khalid is achieving is further eroding freedom of expression in the country
When questioned, Khalid says he is sending Malaysians a very clear message that they will not tolerate any seditious statements that disrupt public order
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Despite being seen as stifling freedom of speech, Khaild says they will carry out their duty to monitor, even social media postings, to ensure national harmony
Pakatan Rakyat disagrees. "Is he more concerned about policing cyberspace as opposed to real crimes?" Rafizi Ramli asked about the IGP's priorities.
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As Malaysia struggles with rising extremism, this issue has caught the attention of international media including the Wall Street Journal
Analysing the situation, The New York Times says Khalid is creating a marriage of modern technology with archaic laws that will only serve the government
The blue ballpoint pen sketch shows a self-portrait caricature of a smiling Zunar behind bars at the Dang Wangi police station.
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