Op-ed: Reforms needed to protect free speech in Malaysia

Article 10(1)(a) of the Constitution grants to every citizen the right to “speech and expression”. The use of the word “expression” expands the perimeters of the right to cover communication by word of mouth, signs, symbols, gestures, works of art, music, sculpture, photographs, films, videos, cartoons, computer art, architecture, print media and cyber speech. Even symbolic speech like the manner of one’s dressing and grooming can be treated as part of one’s freedom of expression: Juzaili Mohd Khamis (2015). As no right can be absolute, the Constitution permits a number of permissible restraints. Regrettably, this list of the “derogation clauses” is very long.
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