FREEDOM OF SPEECH / FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION


FREEDOM OF SPEECH / FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used [United Nations, 1966, 1976]. The right to freedom of speech is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR recognizes the right to freedom of speech as "the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression". Furthermore freedom of speech is recognized in European, inter-American and African regional human rights law [United Nations, 1966, 1967]. Freedom of speech, or the freedom of expression, is recognized in international and regional human rights law. The right is enshrined in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights [Andrew Puddephatt & Hodder Arnold, 2005; Kumar, Ambika, 2006].

In Islamic ethics freedom of speech was first declared in the Rashidun period by the caliph Umar in the 7th century. In the Abbasid Caliphate period, freedom of speech was also declared by al-Hashimi (a cousin of Caliph al-Ma'mun) in a letter to one of the religious opponents he was attempting to convert through reason.

According to George Makdisi and Hugh Goddard, "the idea of academic freedom" in universities was "modelled on Islamic custom" as practiced in the medieval Madrasah system from the 9th century. Islamic influence was "certainly discernible in the foundation of the first deliberately-planned university" in Europe [Boisard, Marcel A., 1980].

* Selected REFERENCES / Sources:

Amnesty International: Annual Reports: URLhttp://www.amnesty.org/ailib/aireport/index.html Andrew Puddephatt & Hodder Arnold. (2005). Freedom of Expression: The Essentials of Human Rights. United Publishers. Boisard, Marcel A. (July 1980), "On the Probable Influence of Islam on Western Public and International Law", International Journal of Middle East Studies 11 (4): 429–50. Goddard, Hugh. (2000). A History of Christian-Muslim Relations. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Kumar, Ambika. (2006). ‘Using Courts to Enforce the Free Speech Provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.’ Published by Chicago Journal of International Law. Summer 2006. URLhttp://www.allbusiness.com/corporate-governance/4082846-1.html United Nations: ‘International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.’ Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16th December 1966: Entry into force 23 March 1976, in accordance with Article 49. URLhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm (United Nations) Wikipedia. (2010). ‘Freedom of Speech.’ Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. URLhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_expression

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28 November 2013

Big Salaries for Menteri Besar & EXCO !!


http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/11/28/Big-pay-hike-for-Sgor-exco-Khalid-and-team-see-salary-increase-of-between-87-and-373.aspx

Published: Thursday November 28, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Thursday November 28, 2013 MYT 8:50:13 AM

Big pay hike for Selangor exco

BY WANI MUTHIAH


SHAH ALAM: The salaries of the Mentri Besar, executive councillors, Speaker, deputy Speaker and assemblymen of Selangor will be increased by up to nearly 400% next year.
Increases ranging from 87% to 373% were passed at the state legislative assembly following approval by the executive council on Nov 22.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim told the house that the increases were timely as the last salary hike was in 2005.
“The decision to raise the salaries is due to the burden of increased duties and responsibilities,” Khalid told the house yesterday.
He added that the efficiency of the state’s executive and legislature as well as Selangor’s healthy coffers was also a factor for the raise.
“And, of course, it is also because of the continued requests made by the assemblymen,” Khalid said.
Under the new salary structure, the pay of assemblymen will be upped 87% from RM6,000 to RM11,250 a month, the Speaker from RM6,109.29 to RM22,500 (268%), and the deputy Speaker from RM3,327.50 to RM15,750 (373%).
The salary of exco members will go up 231% from RM6,109.29 to RM20,250 while the Mentri Besar will have a pay rise of 106.4% from RM14,175 to RM29,250.
The Speaker is Hannah Yeoh while her deputy is Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Opposition leader Datuk Sham-sudin Lias welcomed the increases.
“The increases are timely and in tandem with the high cost of living. They will also allow us assemblymen to intensify our services to our constituents,” he said, adding that the remuneration for assemblymen had not increased for a long time.
Khalid also announced an additional half-month bonus for the Selangor government’s 15,643 employees, which will be paid in mid-January in an exercise costing the state RM14.821mil.
Khalid said the bonus payment was made due to Selangor’s healthy coffers as well as a mark of appreciation to the employees.
“I thank and congratulate the employees who work very hard for Selangor,” Khalid said, adding that the state’s earnings to date was RM1.89bil, which was 16% higher than the projected RM1.63 bil.
The state had also paid one month’s bonus to all its employees during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.





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