Malaysian journalists have six days left to redeem their honour and reputation
by taking a stand on Murray Hiebert’s imprisonment before he is released
on Monday
Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang
(Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): Canadian journalist
Murray Hiebert, 50, will walk out of Seremban Prison on Monday
after being sentenced to six weeks’ jail for contempt of court, which plunged
Malaysia into another nadir of international notoriety as not conforming
to basic norms of human rights.
Equally tragic as Hiebert becoming the first journalist in a half-century
to be jailed for contempt in any Commonwealth nation is the total
silence of Malaysian journalists to speak up for the cause of freedom of
speech, although this has become a cause celebre in international
journalistic circles.
Just as Hiebert has six days to freedom, Malaysian journalists
have six days left to redeem their honour, reputation and integrity
by taking a stand on Hiebert’s imprisonment and speaking up loudly and
clearly for freedom of speech and a free press in Malaysia.
(5/10/99)
*Lim Kit Siang - Malaysian Parliamentary
Opposition Leader, Democratic Action Party Secretary-General & Member
of Parliament for Tanjong