Death Threats Against 'Touch A Dog' Organiser Is 'Freedom Of Speech', Says Muslim Group
The group singled out lawyer Syahredzan Johan who represented the event organiser Syed Azmi Alhabshi.
By Sadho Ram — 26 Oct 2014, 01:17 PM — Updated about 10 years ago
Today, 26 October, Bangkit, a portal linked to Muslim NGO Pembela, said that the defenders of I Want To Touch A Dog event have no right to get upset over death threats and slander from those who are criticising it if they also defend freedom of speech
Lawyer Syahredzan Johan, who represented organiser Syed Azmi Alhabshi, was attacked by the group
Image via rakyattimes.comThe group singled out Syahredzan Johan who represented organiser Syed Azmi Alhabshi, saying the civil liberties lawyer had in the past supported the National Unity Consultative Council’s (NUCC) Harmony Bills, which allegedly does not criminalise hate speech unless it threatens physical harm.
themalaymailonline.com
“What we find absurd was why Syahredzan, who all this while wanted to be a champion and hero of freedom of speech such as in the laws he drafted, wanted to restrict others’ freedom of speech to criticise the event?” said the portal called Bangkit.
Remarking on the threats issued by Muslim critics, the group asked: "Did they want to harm the organisers and participants?"
Syed Azmi Alhabshi touches a dog for the first time at the 'I wanna touch a Dog'
Image via themalaymailonline.comFurther remarking, it added: "Even if there were comments with elements of threat, is it true that they had an intent to threaten and was the intent made clear by a team of lawyers?"
Saying that lawyer Syahredzan was one of the lawyers who walked against the Sedition Act 1948, it suggested that any replacement of the controversial law must provide for mens rea, which in legal term is viewed as one of the necessary elements of some crimes
“Does the freedom of speech belong only to Azmi Shahrom [sic] alone in the world?” it asked, referring to the University of Malaya law lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom who was charged with sedition last month, making him the first academic to be caught in Putrajaya’s recent sedition dragnet.
themalaymailonline.com
Bangkit also alleged that by holding the event, Syed Azmi had not only insulted Muslims in Malaysia, but subsequently insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as a designated Head of Islam, who was allegedly appointed to "protect Islam from any insults at all times"
“What would His Highness feel when international news channels broadcasted faces of Malay-Muslim girls, wearing uniform yellow shirts, and wearing headscarves as Muslims, excitedly touching dogs in many poses?”
“It was as if portraying the citizens of His Highness — the Head of State of an Islamic country where Islam is exalted as a Religion of the Federation — as Muslims who were desperate towards dogs,” it alleged.
themalaymailonline.com
Meanwhile, during a press conference on 25 October, Syahredzan said that accusations claiming Syed Azmi is Christian or a follower of the Muslim Shiah sect are false and defamatory
Syahredzan Johan and Norhayati Ismail at the press conference when Syed Azmi Alhabshi apologised for discomfort caused by the 'Touch-a-Dog' event,25 October 2014
Image via themalaymailonline.comSyahredzan dismissed the need for his client to prove that he was a Muslim but said those who have defamed the organiser of the “I Want to Touch a Dog” event should stop all their attacks. The Muslim Shiah sect is deemed as deviant by Putrajaya.