Cease probe into podcasters, says Hakam

The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) has urged Malaysian authorities to halt investigations into podcasters Bryan Kong and Shamsul Saad, following their arrest on August 6. Hakam argues that the ongoing pursuit of the podcasters for discussing sensitive topics like race, religion, and politics contradicts the government's commitment to freedom of expression, which PM Anwar Ibrahim has called a "pillar of democratic practice."

Hakam maintains that the criminal justice system should not be used to discourage Malaysians from voicing their opinions on matters of public interest. The group fears that such arrests could lead to self-censorship among journalists, podcasters, and ordinary citizens, who might fear the repercussions of airing unpopular or controversial views.

Hakam's statement emphasizes that the arrest of individuals involved in public discourse could have far-reaching implications, potentially chilling discussions on issues of race, religion, politics, and other sensitive subjects.

Klang Utara police chief Ramsay Embol confirmed that the pair were arrested over a video clip discussing secularism and liberalism in Episode 141 of Kong's "Let's Get It" podcast. However, Kong insists he did nothing wrong, stating his intention to continue providing a platform for people from diverse political backgrounds and parties to share their perspectives.