Charging Lokman for criticising PM not right, says DAP's Syahredzan

SHAH ALAM - Former Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam's comments against the prime minister may be overboard but that does not mean he should be charged at the Sessions Court, said DAP.

Its social media bureau chairman Syahredzan Johan said by right the statement made by the Prime Minister’s aide through his Facebook post should be adequate to explain the alleged claims were false.

If the trend continues, he said more people are likely to be prosecuted causing a "chilling effect" as it creates fear among the people to express opinions toward the prime minister or the government.

“This is not about Lokman because I will still object if it happened to anyone else,” he told Sinar Daily.

Earlier, he tweeted that he disagreed with Lokman being charged with two counts of making and initiating the transmission of offensive communications against the premier.

He said that he disagreed to the prosecution since the charges are for "offensive" communication with ‘intent to annoy the prime minister and government.

He also said that Section 233 is too wide and allows for charges to also apply to the citizens.

“The State should not prosecute those who offend the PM and government.

“Section 233 is too wide; allows for charges to be brought against citizens who say things which ‘offends’ the powers that be.

“We have seen this before and we are seeing it again, even if it is used against someone like Lokman Adam, who has made many reprehensible statements,” he tweeted.

On Aug 30, Lokman made claims that a memorandum of understanding was signed between Ismail Sabri and PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Aug 17, 2021.

Among the allegations made by Lokman is that Ismail Sabri promised not to change the Attorney General and to expedite Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former Datuk Seri Najib Razak court cases.

On Sept 2, Prime Minister’s Office special officer Kamarul Zaman Yusoff denied the allegations made by Lokman.

He added there was nothing in the agreement that is "peculiar, questionable or detrimental to Umno and Barisan Nasional because it’s only a normal agreement to ensure the government didn’t fall."

“There was no over-the-top condition in the agreement," Kamarul Zaman said in a statement.