Ask Mcmc Fahmi On Researcher S Detention

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Queries on political commentator Murray Hunter’s recent detention in Thailand over his criticisms of the MCMC should be directed to the commission, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
The minister said this when asked for verification on Hunter’s claims that the Thai authorities had been acting on MCMC’s orders in detaining and charging him with defamation over several of his blog articles critical of Malaysian authorities.
“I don’t have information (on the matter), refer to the MCMC,” Fahmi (above) told a post-cabinet meeting press conference at his ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya today.
Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that the Australian was released on bail yesterday after being detained on Sept 29, and is awaiting trial on Nov 17, where he claimed that the MCMC will be called as the accuser.
Based on official court documents and police reports, Hunter had been charged under Section 328 of the Thai Criminal Code with defamation, where four of his Substack articles were quoted as defamatory material.
The documents also included links to Hunter’s Substack posts, where he had criticised the MCMC, the Malaysian police, and Umno leaders as allegedly flaunting the Constitution for their own benefit and disregarding public interests.
Researcher Murray HunterHunter, who is also an academic researcher, denied the accusations that described his posts as a criminal offence, which has caused the victim to suffer reputational damage, contempt, and/or hatred.
In April last year, MCMC lodged a police report against Hunter over his blog posts, which the commission argued were slanderous as they accused the commission and the police of being politically influenced by the government.
Lawyers for Liberty had then criticised the move as clamping down on free speech and criticism, describing it as “unfair” for the public to receive a police complaint from a major public body, such as the MCMC.
At the time, Fahmi had defended MCMC’s move to file a police report against Hunter, noting then that he did not think the commission was “being a bit too much” as it had legal grounds for the action.
Delayed RON95 sales
On a separate matter, Fahmi said he will refer to the Finance Ministry reports detailing that residents in certain areas are facing delayed sales of RON95 petrol.
Noting that the Finance Ministry is expected to issue a statement on the fuel subsidy scheme today, Fahmi said that while the cabinet meeting earlier had not discussed the matter, he will extend the issue to the relevant agencies.
“I have read the media reports (on such problems)... since the matter involves a supply issue with RON95, we will also follow up with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry,” he added.
Previously, checks by Malaysiakini found that sales of the subsidised petrol have been deferred in the Kuala Tahan area in Jerantut, Pahang, at a time when most Malaysians have begun enjoying targeted subsidies for the fuel under the Budi95 scheme.
Kuala Tahan is one of many rural areas where, instead of petrol stations, fuel is sold - legally - through different means. In this area's case, the petrol is supplied to and sold at sundry shops. - Mkini

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