Satire Not A Crime Fahmi Parodies Fahmi Amid Probe

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After coming under investigation for one of his caricatures once again, the activist Fahmi Reza has resorted to parodying the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
He changed his display name on X from his own name to “Fahmi Fadzil”.
He also posted a screenshot yesterday of a social media post made by the minister on Nov 19, 2016.
It is a photo of Fahmi Reza, Fahmi Fadzil, the lawyer Syahredzan Johan, and another person wearing a mask - apparently at the Bersih 5 protest held that day - along with the placard depicting former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak as a clown.
The caption written by Fahmi Fadzil reads: “Solidarity for Fahmi Reza who had just been arrested at KLCC at the end of Bersih 5. It appears that powers that be are still afraid of Fahmi (Reza)’s graphics!”
‘McDani’
Fahmi Reza (above) would ultimately be charged and convicted under the controversial Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over his caricatures depicting Najib as a clown.
Syahredzan had represented Fahmi Reza as his legal counsel in the case.
The names of Fahmi Reza’s accounts on other social media platforms remain unchanged, but they also feature a screenshot of Fahmi Fadzil’s post from 2016.
Fahmi Reza has also changed the profile photo of his social media accounts to a logo bearing a strong resemblance to MCMC’s tricoloured triangle but with the addition of an eye similar to the one on PKR’s logo. The text underneath the logo reads “MCDANI”.
Both Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and minister Fahmi Fadzil are from PKR, with Anwar as the party’s president and Fahmi as the information chief. “McDani” is believed to be a play on the word “Madani” used by Anwar’s administration as a slogan.
‘Don’t share’
Through his accounts, he also shared a “warning” yesterday urging people not to share his caricature of the newly appointed Sabah Governor Musa Aman.
The poster features the “McDani” logo and prominently displays the caricature of Musa.
“Members of the public especially Sabahans are warned to stop circulating the satirical caricature as shown in the picture above, which is believed to be uploaded to mock Musa’s appointment as the new Sabah governor,” the poster reads.
It adds that caricature contains the 3R elements of race, religion, and royalty that could threaten national harmony, and is believed to have been made to incite hatred towards the governor and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“It is an offence to share and disseminate such content because it violates national laws, especially Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and the Akta Sakit Hati (Amendment) 2024.
“Upon conviction, it is punishable with a fine up to RM50,000 and/or imprisonment up to one year,” the poster reads.
Akta Sakit Hati (Hurt Feelings Act) is a name used to mock the Communications and Multimedia Act, particularly Section 233 which criminalises the abuse of network facilities and services to send communication that is deemed “obscene, indecent, false, menacing, or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass another person”.
Critics have argued that the provision is too broad and vaguely defined, and is often used against dissidents.
Under investigation
Fahmi Reza is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA), and Section 504 of the Penal Code.
This is for his caricature depicting Musa with an RM100 bill between his teeth. Across the image was red text calling Musa the number one corruptor in Sabah.
Musa was appointed on Tuesday as the next Sabah governor - effective Jan 1 next year. He had a chequered past riddled with corruption allegations, though he was ultimately acquitted when the charges against him were withdrawn.
The Dewan Rakyat passed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act on Dec 9, followed by the Senate on Dec 16.
This includes changes to Section 233 that Fahmi Fadzil claimed would ensure that parodies and satire would not be criminalised unless they cross the line.
However, the amendments have yet to be given royal assent to be gazetted into law.
Syahredzan, who is now the Bangi MP, has urged for a moratorium on investigations and prosecutions under Section 233 on works of satire and parody until the amendments come into effect. -  Mkini

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