Armada slams Jorjet Myla’s arrest as undemocratic, curbing free speech

SHAH ALAM – Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) has condemned the arrest of Jorjet Myla, describing it as undemocratic and a restriction on freedom of speech.

Its information chief Harris Idaham Rashid said investigations under the Sedition Act 1948 were oppressive and unjust.

He said Pakatan Harapan (PH), which previously championed freedom of expression, was now leading efforts to silence dissenting voices against the government.

“Armada stands in solidarity with Jorjet Myla, who is currently under remand for expressing her views.

“The obsession with holding power has destroyed the principles once fought for.

“Expressing negative views towards the Prime Minister or the government is part of the democratic practice in Malaysia,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Jorjet Myla was previously remanded for three days after allegedly uploading a video on TikTok expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Harris said the arrest and remand application would portray Malaysia as a country that was intolerant of criticism from its rakyat.

“During times of economic hardship, negative views on how the government manages crises will naturally arise, but freedom of speech allows for this and the government must accept it.

“Authorities must not be used to silence the public,” he said.