Death threats to Aisyah are criminal, says NGOs

According to one NGO, the BFM journalist was entitled to freedom of speech under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

PETALING JAYA: Several NGOs have come out to voice their support for Aisyah Tajuddin, the BFM 89.9 journalist who received threats of violence, murder and rape after presentng a video by BFM Kupas on PAS pushing for Hudud law in Kelantan.

The Institute of Journalists (IoJ) Malaysia in a press statement condemned the vicious threats which they felt were not only an attack on the press, but also on the freedom of speech in the country.

According to IoJ, the issue of Hudud was one that should be discussed and debated by all Malaysians.

The group added that the Malaysian media should not be forced into silence due to intimidation over an issue that had a direct or indirect effect on society.

The IoJ said this was all the more pertinent if the intimidating parties had abandoned whatever dubious moral grounds their comments were based on, when they threatened Aisyah with rape and murder under the guise of defending religious principles.

The IoJ asked the authorities to investigate the parties behind the threats made to Aisyah, which they said were tantamount to criminal intimidation.

Sisters in Islam assistant manager for legal advocacy and public education, Afiq M Noor revealed that the threats were un-Islamic and amounted to criminal offence under the Penal Code, The Star Online reported.

The Hudud laws in Kelantan can be criticised by anyone because they are man-made laws and not from God.

It can also be reviewed in the courts, he said, adding that Aisyah was entitled to freedom of speech under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

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Death threats to Aisyah are criminal, says NGOs