We need to have a sense of humour, says Malaysian Bar president

Malaysians have to learn to have a sense humour, and not be over sensitive towards jokes or parodies, according to Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong.

He said that Malaysians cannot afford to keep walking on egg shells especially in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country.

"57 years of our history has shown that walking on eggs shells with draconian laws hanging over our heads has not brought true harmony," said the Bar Council chairman commenting on the recent arrest of a Facebook page admin over parody account.

Christopher said the way forward now is to conduct discourses, discussions, debates and even arguments to solve matters instead of imposing harsh laws.

"Hopefully we will able to take everything that is said or done without being so over sensitive that we even object to jokes and parodies," he said at a press conference after the Malaysian Bar's Extroardinary General Meeting (EGM).

Earlier today, a man believed to be the admin for a parody Facebook page with the name “Persatuan Kongsi Gelap Melayu” has been arrest under the Sedition Act 1948.

Syafiq Abdul Wahid was arrested at his home at 3.00am and was taken to the Serdang police station.

According to his lawyer Michelle Yesudas, Syafiq will be remanded for three days. The Facebook page has received 5,503 Likes as at 5.05pm.