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Malaysian state unveils its own speakers' corner
Associated Press - May 4, 2010
Kuala Lumpur – An opposition-led state in Malaysia on Tuesday launched its version of London's famous Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park in an experiment to foster free speech.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Speakers' Square on the northern resort island of Penang would be opened twice a week for four hours from 6 p.m. as a "platform for democracy" to allow all Malaysians to exercise their freedom of expression.
Lim said while there were no taboo subjects, speakers were urged to be responsible as there was no immunity from law and they could be detained for seditious remarks.
Speakers don't have to register and no amplification equipment is allowed at the Speakers' Square at the Esplanade park, he said.
"There are no restrictions, anyone can take the stand. Let's not consider the Speakers' Corner as just another platform like Hyde Park in London but an important milestone for democracy and free speech in Penang and Malaysia," Lim said.
Mainstream media in Malaysia are largely controlled by the government, and all public rallies need police approval.
In the Speakers' Corner in London, almost no subject is taboo, with religious sermons and political commentary being commonplace. There is no immunity from law there too, but the British police tend to be tolerant and intervene only when they receive a complaint.
Penang is among four states controlled by a three-member opposition coalition that made strong gains in 2008 general elections. Critics have accused Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling government of using the police and judiciary to crack down on critics and suppress freedom of speech.
Lim said the state government was negotiating with police to allow the Speakers' Square to be used as an avenue for citizens to hold peaceful demonstrations and candlelight vigils to express their rights. Currently, any gathering of four or more people needs a police permit.
Another opposition-led state, Kelantan, launched a similar public speaking area in 2008, but speakers cannot touch on sensitive topics such as race relations and need approval from local authorities before taking the stand.
Some 60 percent of the country's 28 million people are Muslim Malay. The biggest minority groups are ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indians.
A Speakers' Corner in tightly controlled Singapore has attracted little interest. It also comes with strings attached – speakers have to register with police and avoid race, religion and inciting hostility toward the government.
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