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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25 March 2021

RM48 millions forfeited from accounts of Jho Low’s father now belongs to Government !!

SOURCE: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/03/25/rm48m-forfeited-from-accounts-of-jho-lows-father-now-belongs-to-govt/1960918?utm_source=izooto&utm_medium=push_notifications&utm_campaign=RM48m%20forfeited%20from%20accounts RM48m forfeited from accounts of Jho Low’s father now belongs to govt Thursday, 25 Mar 2021
More than RM48 million seized from seven bank accounts belonging to Tan Sri Larry Low Hock Peng, the father of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low (pic), now belongs to the government of Malaysia. — Picture via Facebook KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — More than RM48 million seized from seven bank accounts belonging to Tan Sri Larry Low Hock Peng, the father of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, who was charged in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, now belongs to the Government of Malaysia. This follows High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan’s order that the money be forfeited by the government after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor, Shafinas Shabudin as the applicant announced there was no third party present in court to claim the money amounting to RM48,491,064. “Notice to the third party was issued on March 11 this year, however no third party was present in court today to claim the money. “As there was no third party present to claim and the asset was proposed to be forfeited, the prosecution is seeking for the assets to be forfeited by the Government of Malaysia,” said Shafinas. Larry Low as the respondent was not represented by any lawyer and he himself was not present in court. Meanwhile, when met by reporters after the proceeding, Shafinas said the money involved were RM20,784,952.56, RM300,000, RM500,000 and RM20 million seized from current and fixed accounts of the respondent at the KLCC branch of RHB Bank. According to Shafinas, RM6,242,593.10, RM345,496.47 and RM318,021.95 were also confiscated from the fixed and current accounts of the respondent in Maybank Plaza Gurney branch, Penang. On July 19, 2019, Judge Mohamed Zaini allowed the application of the prosecution to forfeit RM48,979,500.67 in seven bank accounts belonging to Larry Low after no third party was present in court to claim the money. However, the forfeiture case was heard again after the prosecution amended the proposed notice to enter information on two banks involved in the forfeiture application. On March 29 2019, the government filed a civil forfeiture notice to freeze seven bank accounts owned by Larry Low on the charge that the money were proceeds from money laundering. A notice of seizure dated Jan 17 2019 directed to Goh Gaik Ewe, 66, Jho Low’s mother, was issued under Sub-Section 51 (1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Illicit Activities Act 2001. To date, the authorities were reported to be still tracking down Larry Low, his wife Goh Gaik Ewe and Jho Low to assisting investigation in the case involving 1MDB. - BERNAMA.
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