Gerakan against ban on political caricatures

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KOTA KINABALU: Gerakan is against the Election Commission’s decision to ban the use of political caricatures in the upcoming general election (GE).

Its vice-president, Datuk Mah Siew Keong, yesterday said he was disappointed with the announcement and disagreed with the EC’s decision.

He contended that the EC has no grounds to impose the ban on the use of political caricatures in the next general election as it is essentially unwarranted.

“Gerakan is against the unjustifiable ban as it will deal a blow to the freedom of expression, the flourish of ideas as well as creativity in arts that could mitigate the rising political temperature or excessive politicking in the country,” Mah said in a statement.

According to him, the use of political caricatures which is deemed “insinuating, disparaging individuals or personalities, inappropriate and could portray a lack of seriousness in running for elections” as described by EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad as a personal point of view of the latter that is not shared by most people. Mah said there were many ways to reproach, discredit or defame a politician other than the use of political caricatures.

“In fact it is common for such an unethical act being used in political seminars with profanities, personal attacks and rhetorical speeches to arouse emotional resonance and raising political support, but does it mean that we will have to ban political seminars completely for the 13th GE? That sounds unwise to me as well,” he said.

Mah reckoned that the EC should address the wrongful and demeaning contents or messages conveyed in the media by some irresponsible politicians during the political campaign, rather than just prohibiting the use of political caricatures.

“The EC then should hold politicians responsible for the negative remarks they have made which is more pivotal to stop political smear in the GE,” he added.