I’m not a football to be kicked around by Umno

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Law professor Abdul Aziz Bari is shocked at the virulence of the attacks made against him by Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia newspaper and will sue the paper for defamation.

“Today has been a week I’ve been attacked by that newspaper. And yesterday, the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also attacked me. Whereas what I commented was simple and was not against the constitution. At least, compare with what the former premier has done when he was in power,” Aziz was reported as saying by Harakahdaily.

“We all know how he condemned and ridiculed the Royalties. And Utusan did it twice at that time. Besides spreading slanders to tarnish the Royalty’ image, they said that the King-less states like Penang are more developed compared to the states with a King.”

From source Umno

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission had a day ago questioned him on his recent statement whereby he said it was not wrong to criticize the Sultans following a controversial decision by the Selangor Ruler on the recent Jais-DUMC issue.

“Maybe this is after pressure from Awang Selamat in Mingguan Malaysia,” he had said after giving his statement to the MCMC officials. They quizzed for nearly two hours after several police reports were lodged against last week.

“This is typical Umno style. When Pakatan leaders lodge reports with the police, the MACC or even the MCMC itself, we don’t see them reacting but when it involves one of their ‘programs’, see how fast the reaction is,” Bukit Gantang MP Nizar Jamaluddin told Malaysia Chronicle.

Coincidentally, Utusan’s senior editor had in a Sunday column under the pen name Awang Selamat criticized the MCMC for not noticing how certain news portals were disrespecting and trivializing the apostasy issue.

Not a football to be kicked around

Meanwhile, Aziz thank his supporters especially his students for standing behind him although he also expressed disappointment in the way the authorities condemned and questioned his position.

“They took great pains to call me to show their support and asked me to not hold back. And that is not including the ones that wrote on the internet to give support. I am very grateful,” he added.

Aziz, a constitutional law expert at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, said he was merely sharing with the people his knowledge on the subject.

“If they don’t agree with my argument, then give their own argument. I want to learn as well; maybe they are right. Accusing me of rebelling, rude, confused and having my own political agenda is not fair. I’m a small man with no influence. What are they afraid of? that is why I want to sue them,” said Aziz.

“It is as if we’re in a football game, and they are not grabbing the ball from my feet. Instead, they kick my feet. And seniors like the former premier follow suit. They beat me up.”

Malaysia Chronicle