Cease the victimisation of National Laureate Pak Samad Said for “the pen is mightier than the sword”

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should cease the Federal government’s victimisation of National laureate A Samad Said’s alleged involvement in flying the Sang Saka Malaya flag during this year’s Merdeka Day eve celebrations. By attacking Pak Samad Said as "indecent and shameful", Tan Sri Muhyiddin is playing both prosecutor and judge by passing judgment and sentencing all in one.

The midnight arrest of National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said under the Sedition Act is nothing short of a shocking and high-handed abuse of power. At 1230am on 4 September 2013, police arrested Pak Samad at his home in Bangsar before bringing him for questioning at the Dang Wangi Police Station. He was released two hours later.

What need was there to spring such an arrest on a 78-year-old poet, as if he was a hardcore and violent criminal? Such harassment is not only uncalled for, but also extremely disrespectful to a man who has contributed so much not only to Malaysian literature but also to civil society.

If anything, Pak Samad should be treated as a source of national pride. Instead, there appears to be a coordinated attempt to humiliate and victimise him. Even Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Shabeery Cheek, has made a veiled threat to revoke Pak Samad’s National Laureate title. What is shameful is Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s lies accusing Pak Samad of hiding from the law, hence forcing police to take him into custody after he had “quietly sneaked back into his house after midnight. Pak Samad has fervently denied that he was in hiding and that he was in his house almost throughout the night.

Such arrogant statements by a Federal minister and high-handed actions by the police against an elderly and defenceless National Laureate is disgusting and should be condemned by all Malaysians. Clearly, Pak Samad is being victimised for his unwavering stand in championing issues of national importance including electoral reform in his role as the co-chairperson of Bersih 2.0.

Such harsh actions are not even taken against some who are charged for being corrupt. And the police should focus on fighting criminals instead of against a man of literature. History has proven many times and will prove once again to BN and the police that “the pen is mightier than the sword”.