DOUBLE STANDARD

1. Under the rule of law, there should not be any double standard, whereby there is the application of different sets of law for similar situations, or two different people in the same situation. If there is double standard, the public confidence in the Judiciary system will be diminished overtime.

2. Apparently, I saw people pointing out the existence of double standard in Malaysia, with regards to the Sedition law. It is seen in another form, whereby there seems to be selective prosecution of people, or rather the selective non-prosecution of some personalities.

3. Dr Mahathir had labelled Lim Kit Siang as racist and bent on creating disharmony and discord between the Chinese and the Malays, when Kit Siang decided to contest in Gelang Patah. Police reports were lodged, and lawyer letters sent. However Mahathir continued his allegations at many rallies, despite them being racially charged and potentially inflaming racial sentiments. But there seems to be zero action on the part of the authorities to take action on Mahathir under the Sedition law, let alone compound the charges.

4. Utusan Malaysia, the mouthpiece of UMNO, published racially charged article headlined “Apa Lagi Cina Mahu?” (What more the Chinese want?). Any investigation on Utusan Malaysia so far? Apparently no, as it went on to publish “Apa Lagi Kit Siang Mahu?” (What more does Kit Siang want?), and alleging inflaming sentiments on the part of Kit Siang.

5. Zulkifli Noordin, the No.2 man in Perkasa, raised the spectre of May 13 when he accused the DAP and Kit Siang of being behind Malaysia’s worst race riots, in a series of tweets just a day before the anniversary of the incident. He also alleged that Kit Siang had used the slogans “Malai Seh” (Malay die) during the incident 44 years ago. Any actions taken by the authorities against him for making such inflaming and emotive racially charged remarks which can heighten sentiments?

6. Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah warned the Chinese community to prepare for a backlash from the Malays for their alleged “betrayal” against the BN in Election 2013, and he also calls on Malays to be strong and aggressive. To some, these constitute inflaming racial sentiments. Any actions taken by the authorities against him?

7. Most recently, the Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria has accused non-Malays of racial bigotry and using Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to conquer Malays. He said that to Utusan Malaysia, which I believe, gladly reproduce his words. Obviously Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria’s comments are emotive, racially charged and have the potential to inflame sentiments among the various races in Malaysia. Will there be any actions taken against him?

8. Mahathir, Zulkifli Noordin, and Mohd Noor Abdullah are all immune to the Sedition law? Or is it that they are special in the eyes of that said law? Will Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria be joining the special league of Mahathir, Zulkifli Noordin and Mohd Noor Abdullah? Sadly and interestingly, both seem to be the case for any observer of the just concluded Malaysian elections.