Letters | Malaysian election: why Anwar’s defamation lawsuit is in public interest
- Readers discuss the merits of the Malaysian prime minister’s defamation lawsuit, and why Australia must reject US bloodlust
He alleged that excerpts from that speech were published by the TikTok account @beritakini8 and viewed 1.1 million times, receiving more than 6,000 comments and 21,000 likes. Anwar said Muhyiddin published a video of the entire speech on Facebook which garnered more than 42,000 views as of December 20.
The opposition is up in arms, calling Anwar’s legal action against Muhyiddin an attempt to silence critics, but Anwar filed the suit in his personal capacity. Even if he had filed the suit in his official capacity, his reputation – whether personal or official – is deserving of protection.
Lord Nicholls said in the English case of Reynolds vs Times Newspapers Limited and Others: “Reputation is an integral and important part of the dignity of the individual. It also forms the basis of many decisions in a democratic society which are fundamental to its well-being: whom to employ or work for, whom to promote, whom to do business with or to vote for.
“Once besmirched by an unfounded allegation … a reputation can be damaged forever, especially if there is no opportunity to vindicate one’s reputation. When this happens, society as well as the individual is the loser.
02:59
From prison to Malaysia’s new leader: Anwar Ibrahim appointed to top seat
“For it should not be supposed that protection of reputation is a matter of importance only to the affected individual and his family. Protection of reputation is conducive to the public good.
“It is in the public interest that the reputation of public figures should not be debased falsely. In the political field, in order to make an informed choice, the electorate needs to be able to identify the good as well as the bad.”
Reputations are deserving of protection. Otherwise, as Shakespeare wrote in Richard II: “Mine honour is my life; both grow in one. Take honour from me and my life is done.”
Mohamad Hafiz Bin Hassan, lecturer, faculty of law, Multimedia University, Malaysia
Australia is not mini-America
As a young Australian, I am watching the rhetoric around China ramp up in a negative way. This is extremely disheartening as I grew up in a multicultural neighbourhood and appreciated my Chinese friends and their culture.
For too long, we have ignored and cast to the wayside how China has helped to protect our nation. The Chinese sacrificed much for the region’s defence against the Japanese during World War II, and sadly this does not seem to be something that is taught in our schools. I know that if my culture was on the other side of that equation, I would feel wounded too.
For too long, we have followed the United States into its conflicts, when its thirst for conflict has been very detrimental to its own people, causing significant civil unrest within its own borders. I personally think it’s time for Australia to define itself independently of the US and to distance itself from another of the US’ inclinations towards violence.
At the end of the day, we are Australians, we are not mini-America and we must appreciate our unique place in this region and the world. We should not sacrifice our young people and our great nation for some ideological war started by the US.
Jeffrey Lawrence, Queensland, Australia
