Bloggers sued in Malaysia

Posted by Budi Putra on January 18th, 2007 filed in Asia, Asia: Malaysia, Blog, Bloggers, Blogging, Blogs, Breaking News, Internet, News, Personal, Weblog, Weblogs

It’s a dark day for Malaysian blogosphere. Two Malaysian bloggers are being sued by a publishing giant over allegedly defamatory postings, the first such lawsuits the country.

The suits against my colleague Jeff Ooi’s prominent blog Screenshots and Rocky’s Bru by Ahirudin Attan. Alas, judging from the comments posted on their blogs!

The application for injunction comes up on January 25 at the High Court, Kuala Lumpur.

Jeff noted:

The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad, Kalimullah bin Masheerul Hassan, Hishamuddin bin Aun and Brenden John a/l John Pereira have jointly taken an order, via an ex-parte injunction obtained in the High Court of Malaya Kuala Lumpur (Civil Suit No. S6-23-3-2007) on January 11, 2007, against this blogger.

Rocky said:

None of us have passed this way before, so I shall have to tread carefully. I’ll need you to tread carefully, too, when you leave your comments.

I have been served the papers. They dropped them on Tuesday evening, around 9.30 pm, at the National Press Club. They are applying for an injunction against Rocky’s Bru, this blog. They are suing me for libel.

You have my support, and many others from around the world.

For the same time, let we see what we can learn from this case –which had drawn international headlines. One of the important lesson, though, bloggers should aware that they must be responsible for ALL activity in the comments section!

Related stories (updated 02/18-2007 — thanks to 4896 for this!)

Voices from blogosphere:

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11. BlackinKorea: Malaysian Bloggers Unite!!!! Bloggers Malaysia Bersatu!!!
12. The Antics of Husin Lempoyang: Blogger Bersatu! Ini Betul-betul, Bukan Cubaan…
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14. The Colonel’s Diary - Act III: Bloggers of Malaysia, unite!
15. The Sensintrovert: NST Sues Mr Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun and Mr. Ahirudin Attan For ‘Bloody Death’ Post?
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18. rocky’s bru: Blogger United. No Fear.
19. 3540 Jalan Sudin: Dangerous Time and Living dangerously
20. blog sangkut: Blogers Malaysia Terus DiUgut !
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42. Buaya69’s WaggyTales: Rocky & Jeff Ooi, we are with you!
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112. GERBANG RUHANIE: Kes Rocky Dan Jeff:Undang-Undang Conventional Lawan Undang-Undang Siber?
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118. 鎗人鎗語: 支持全馬blogger博客向NST宣戰!
119. 生活小烙印: 部落格传奇
120. 本地知名博客遭新海峡时报集团起诉诽谤｜余福祺｜自由媒体｜哈哈赛！
121. CJCM and IT: Jeff Ooi and Rocky sued by NST… Bloggers United
122. Malaysia Plain Blog: Bloggers sued !!
123. Vincent Chow: Malaysian Bloggers Sued for Defamation
124. MAHAGURU58: Malaysian Bloggers Association-Let’s form it now!
125. 善与恶之间 » Blog Archive » 谁帮部落客，谁遭殃？
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128. wielmaja: Bloggers Versus Mainstream Media
129. MY MUMMY IS AN ALIEN: To Secure Our Children’s Future…
130. Potshots: Suing is Wrong! Legal Action Is Wrong! Anarchy In The UK!
131. ducky: The right thing to do
132. desiderata-ylchong: Bloggers’ Spectrum As Diverse as Journalists’
133. Wahlau .NET : Malaysian Blogger Sued by NST
134. the guy from MALAYSIA - Malaysian blogger sued…boycott NST daily
135. Weird World of MerapuMan: Sad story
136. Bumiputera Malaysia: Bloggers sued in Malaysia
137. Harbx - Graphic Freshies: Sued! Prominent political bloggers in Malaysia
138. Aisehman.org: The Summoning
139. { w a s t e d t a l e n t }: Bloggers United Official Statement
140. From The Heart: Statement from Bloggers United
141. Black & White: Defend what you believe in ….
142. 科學頑童狂想曲: 馬來西亞博客被控毀謗
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147. Nukilan Jejari Azhad: Blogger Disaman NST
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149. Wojia - the Family online home: Say no to nstp
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159. 一个人的脑酱 | Cerveau, Gehim, Cervello: Bloggers United, No Fear
160. Walk With Us: Dr Lim Teck Ghee: It’s an attempt to muzzle bloggers
161. 拼凑Jeff: 新年新版本新方向
162. 沟通平台: [天下太平] 部落客没什么好怕-转载自《当今大马》
163. Cyberbaguioboy: (UPDATE) Clamp down on Malaysian bloggers?
164. More shameless remarks by Larko: Two bloggers sued in Malaysia
165. From Sarawak, A Place To Share Personal Views Of Life’s Wonderful Journey: MARINA MAHATHIR ON BLOGGERS UNITE! CAMPAIGN
166. From Sarawak, A Place To Share Personal Views Of Life’s Wonderful Journey: HAPPENINGS IN THE MEDIA
167. From Sarawak, A Place To Share Personal Views Of Life’s Wonderful Journey: BOYCOTT OF NEWS STRAITS TIMES (NSTP) SERVICES - Continued
168. niknazmi.com: When a mainstream newspaper chooses to sue
169. 年.华.似.水 Over the Rainbow… …: BLOGGERS UNITED，NO FEAR 部落客团结起来，不要怕！
170. 纵使溺水三千，我只取一瓢饮: 传召所有人，捍卫言论自由！！！
171. ㄔ亍在失衡天秤上: 傳召一人,召喚所有人!捍衛你自由言論的權利!
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175. 千山鸟飞绝: “团结部落客，勿畏惧”
176. 吉米心情日记： 大马部落格作者被起诉
177. 最好的时光： 请捍卫大马网络自由！
178. 说说而已： Bloggers United. No Fear
179. 羊人部落： 给每一个部落客
180. freelunch 2020: ‘Bloggers must be responsible’, what about the govt?
181. Blog . Jiboneus: Two Malaysian bloggers was sued and the whole community are up in arms
182. BJ Thoughts: Blogging and Responsibility
183. syed syahrul: Extra cautious while blogging.
184. 沟通平台： [南洋轻弹浅唱] 部落客的自危感
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186. Screenshots: Rocky & I
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188. 沟通平台： [独立新闻在线] 部落格非“打了逃”言论空间 政府严管媒体逼部落客上梁山
189. caffeinbar: Libel/slanders suits : Is it progress if a cannibal uses a knife and fork?
190. caffeinbar: Responsibilities for blogger but none for country leader?
191. desiderata-ylchong： Introducing a new nu’espaper!
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199. Blackinkorea: Updates: Support for the Bloggers United So Far….
200. The Scribe A Kadir Jasin: Rocky Vs NSTP Di Mahkamah Tinggi
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202. Wizard of OZ: Malaysian Bloggers is under attack.
203. MOB’s Crib: BOLEHLAND Newspapers Must Be Responsible
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210. Sad Cafe: Malaysian Bloggers Sued In Court
211. If only…: Flaming
212. Flowing Stream: Jeff Ooi, RockyBru vs. NSTP Trio
213. A Woman’s Diary: I Want My Rights!!
214. Booey: freedom of speech…or not?
215. isn’t it great!: bloggers sued ?
216. Private Torts: Jeff Ooi has been served
217. From The Heart: Statement from Bloggers United
218. The Original Bicara Lelaki: Bloggers United!
219. this and that…: Bloggers United Strikes Back!
220. The Splenderful Chronicles: Things Fall Apart
221. jelas.info: flash: politikus reveals select details of the NSTP lawsuit
222. Taiping Coffee: Bloggers United!!!
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226. 沟通平台： [东方日报东风] 解咒的年代
227. squeak. speak. roar.: Blogger’s suits fully revealed.
228. The World of Fat4: The Insecure Herders and Bloggers Being Sued
229. Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin: Calling one, calling all! Defend your right to free speech!
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231. 全球之聲: 馬來西亞:眾網站聯手支持部落客
232. Global Voices Online: Malaysia: Website Formed to Support Bloggers
233. WattaHack?: Calling one, calling all! Defend your right to free speech!
234. endroog: Majulah Blogging Untuk Negara
235. 天上人间 Down To Earth：马来西亚部落格危机!
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237. 天上人间 Down To Earth： 部落客联手~大无畏
238. [klubbkidd’s rave]: These lips
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240. wojia: Say no to nstp
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245. Kickdefella: Sheih on Sheih: You’re Beautiful (Not you Lah, Kali!)
246. Kickdefella: Sheih on Sheih: Apalagi Lah?
247. encircle by SIX: Kiss My Arse - What!? Responsibility? or Ilmu Kepala Tahi?
248. cintakan membawamu kembali: apa makna kebebasan tanpa tanggungjawab?
249. ~penarik beca: BLOGGERS UNITED CONDEMN ACTION AGAINST ROCKY & JEFF
250. ~penarik beca: Rocky dan Jeff: Sejarah demi sejarah
251. ~penarik beca: “Please write a piece on your site regarding NSTP”
252. ~penarik beca: Mat Sabu sokong tabung untuk Rocky dan Jeff
253. Walk With Us: SEAPA: Don’t attack independent writing
254. Walk With Us: Joey Alarilla: Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Blog?
255. Walk With Us: SOURCE: Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
256. Walk With Us: Azmi Sharom: NST smacks of revenge
257. Walk With Us: Malik Imtiaz: Defamation, Blogging and Nation Building
258. Walk With Us: Bloggers Legal Fund: 4 Trustees identified
259. Walk With Us: Ahmad Ikhlas: Let the courts decide on NST-bloggers battle
260. Walk With Us: A M Ubaidah S: Can Pak Lah afford to be partisan against bloggers?
261. Mark Eleven: Bloggers Sued and Bullied By Major Newspaper in Malaysia
262. World of Infotainment: FROM EDITORIAL KAKI SENI
263. ~ p E a C e ~: Bloggers Hurdles!
264. Stepping aside for reality: Ten reasons why the 5Star does not believe in suing bloggers
265. 博客团结，捍卫网络言论自由！: 雪琴^ ^ - 品头论足
266. 大题小做: BLOGGERS UNITED，NO FEAR中译
267. EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: Bloggers under fire!
268. * streaks of hope *: tanah tumpahnya darahku
269. Disquiet: Defamation And The Blogger
270. My Little Black Book: A world of our “own”
271. Bolehland: Bloggers United
272. socialapathy: Come on Rocky and Jef!! In the spirit of Rocky Balboa, You can DO IT!!
273. Mail Attacks: Fwd: Bloggers United
274. patienthelen : Self, Others and the Broader Context: Bloggers United! Defend your right to freedrom of speech!
275. Amoeba: the road not taken? (Part 1-toll hike)
276. ” Invest in Sarawak , Malaysia “: Malaysian Blogers United : to fight for our freedom
277. inside-out: malaysiana
278. Blog . Jiboneus: Two Malaysian bloggers was sued and the whole community are up in arms
279. Possibilities: Permission to Express
280. Asean socio-economic politics: Two Malaysian bloggers sued for defamation
281. Let’s Goyang!: Under Transformation: The Malaysian Blogosphere
282. Major Teoh’s Blog: Internet - The Last Frontier for Bloggers.
283. Joshua’s Blog: Defamation suit to test the limits of freedom of speech in cyberspace
284. Jojo on Vox: Let’s see how the courts deal with this one……
285. Publicly Confidential Confessions Did you know? «: Did you know?
286. La Akademia: The Fight is On
287. September Melancholy: A new blogging beginning…. or the end of it all?
288. Be Stronger: encircle by SIX
289. scream space: Bloggers United: No Fear
290. The Journey: 31 Day Calendar - Day 18
291. ruffleseed2.0: Malaysian Bloggers S’cr’ued
292. My Side: Why Blog Now? But Why Not?
293. .:: My World ::.: Bloggers Sued!
294. Life’s Mansion: Walk with them..
295. SEAN-THE-MAN.blogspot.com: Caught up in a Climate of Defamation
296. The Journey…: NSTP Declare Wars With Bloggers…?
297. Ahfook’s Story: Yes to Bloggers United, NO to News Straits Times!!
298. 齐观天下: Calling one, calling all! Defend your right to free speech!
299. As Zewt As It Gets: Support Bloggers United

…and also:

1. The Blogging Journalist: Malaysian Bloggers Jeff Ooi And Ahirudin bin Atan Sued
2. Global Voices Online » Malaysia: Bloggers Sued
3. southeast asian press alliance: In Malaysia, news group and media executives sue bloggers for libel
4. Tomorrow Bulletin of Singapore Bloggers: Malaysian Bloggers Sued by New Straits Times Malaysia
5. Babelmachine-Blogs-CNET Asia: Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Blog?
6. Manuel L. Quezon III: The Daily Dose » Blog Archive » Freedom House: Philippines “partly free”
7. SEAPA : Southeast Asian Press Alliance: SEAPA concerned by first libel suit against bloggers
8. Sungame: Malaysian bloggers unite against defamation lawsuit
9. The Asia Tech: Bloggers sued in Malaysia
10. Online Media Beat: Malaysian bloggers unite against defamation suits
11. Free Agent: Newsflash! Bloggers condemn lawsuit against Malaysian bloggers by newspaper
12. The Blogging Journalist: Southeast Asian Press Alliance Opposes Legal Action Against Bloggers
13. The Blogging Journalist: Will Newspaper’s Suit Against Malaysian Bloggers Embolden Others?
14. The Blogging Journalist: A Post ‘For Bloggers Everywhere’
15. The Blogging Journalist: ‘Leave Bloggers In Malaysia Alone’
16. The Blogging Journalist: Joey Alarilla: ‘Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Blog?’
17. The Blogging Journalist: Malaysian Prime Minister: ‘We Do not Censor The Internet… But…’
18. The Blogging Journalist: Sued Malaysian Bloggers Getting Widespread Support
19. The Blogging Journalist: Malaysian blogger Ahirudin bin Attan: ‘I’m A Responsible Blogger’
20. The Blogging Journalist: Jayed.us: ‘Case Against Bloggers - Test for Freedom’
21. Individual Counts: SOS: bloggers under attack
22. this and that …: Bloggers United Strikes Back!
23. The Splenderful Chronicles: Things Fall Apart
24. Singabloodypore: Old rules apply in cyberspace
25. mrbrown: L’infantile terrible of Singapore: Malaysian bloggers sued by NSTP
26. Antony Loewenstein: Don’t dare sue us
27. Kerry B. Collison: Malaysia: Case Against Bloggers - Test for Freedom
28. Daughters of Tomorrow: The regime of fear!