Putrajaya has been urged to intervene and stop the MCMC from using public funds to file defamation suits against its critics, following the Shah Alam High Court’s ruling against Australian blogger Murray Hunter.
Former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya argued that government agencies have “no business” suing members of the public over criticism, warning that such actions could have a chilling effect on free expression and public debate over the conduct of public institutions.
“If the people in charge of MCMC think anyone has made a false statement about (or) in relation to it, the right thing for them to do is issue a statement denying, explaining, or clarifying (the matter),” Latheefa told Malaysiakini.