Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia

This article examines the essential need to balance freedom of speech and the promotion of national security in Malaysia.It traces the theoretical debate of the nexus of liberty and security.Then it moves toward debating two perspectives of free speech, namely, absolutism and reasonable regulation,...

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Main Author: Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin
Format: Article
Published: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2013
Subjects:
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author Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin
author_facet Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin
author_sort Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin
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description This article examines the essential need to balance freedom of speech and the promotion of national security in Malaysia.It traces the theoretical debate of the nexus of liberty and security.Then it moves toward debating two perspectives of free speech, namely, absolutism and reasonable regulation, which can also be observed in Malaysia.It is argued that the Barisan Nasional government practices comprehensive security and favors national security too much.It limits free speech through several restrictive laws. Critics argue that in reality the restrictions enable the longevity of the regime in power.Therefore, the opposition, civil society, and the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) demand political reform to permit people to practice more free speech.Due to such pressure, the ruling government has introduced the National Transformation Policy (2011–2020), which is yet to be fully implemented. There is doubt as to whether a balance between freedom of speech and national security can be realized.
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spelling uum-125572014-11-11T02:51:40Z https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/12557/ Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin JQ Political institutions Asia This article examines the essential need to balance freedom of speech and the promotion of national security in Malaysia.It traces the theoretical debate of the nexus of liberty and security.Then it moves toward debating two perspectives of free speech, namely, absolutism and reasonable regulation, which can also be observed in Malaysia.It is argued that the Barisan Nasional government practices comprehensive security and favors national security too much.It limits free speech through several restrictive laws. Critics argue that in reality the restrictions enable the longevity of the regime in power.Therefore, the opposition, civil society, and the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) demand political reform to permit people to practice more free speech.Due to such pressure, the ruling government has introduced the National Transformation Policy (2011–2020), which is yet to be fully implemented. There is doubt as to whether a balance between freedom of speech and national security can be realized. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2013-10-17 Article PeerReviewed Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin (2013) Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia. Asian Politics & Policy, 5 (4). pp. 585-607. ISSN 1943-0779 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aspp.12065 doi:10.1111/aspp.12065 doi:10.1111/aspp.12065
spellingShingle JQ Political institutions Asia
Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin
Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia
title Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia
title_full Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia
title_fullStr Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia
title_short Balancing freedom of speech and national security in Malaysia
title_sort balancing freedom of speech and national security in malaysia
topic JQ Political institutions Asia
work_keys_str_mv AT mohdsanimohdazizuddin balancingfreedomofspeechandnationalsecurityinmalaysia