Jeff Ooi lambasted over sedition threat

Sedition Act Jeff ?? when it suits you ?

The Penang Electromagnetic Field Protection Coalition has lambasted DAP MP Jeff Ooi for allegedly threatening to use sedition laws on them for questioning the government.

The DAP parliamentarian has said they are spreading "unfounded rumours and unsubstantiated data".

The coalition's advisor Dr Thor Teong Gee (left), has labelled the Jelutong MP as 'recalcitrant' for allegedly warning the group not to question the state's effort to promote a wireless Penang.

Thor, who runs a private clinic in Balik Pulau, said he was prepared to be arrested for raising concerns that would affect the lives and health of Penangites.

The group has suggested that the state consider the safety limits used by Austria, Germany and Italy when erecting telecommunication structures.

"Everyone listens when we explain the potential dangers of erecting telco towers which are beyond the safety limits, the only one who does not listen is Jeff Ooi," said Thor,at a press conference in Jalan Paya Terubong today.

"“He is stupid and recalcitrant; why threaten us with the Sedition Act? As a people's representative, he should be protecting the people and not the telco companies," he added.

Ooi has repeatedly defended the state's effort to make Penang the first wireless state.

He said that the government has adhered to safety limits approved by WHO and the Ministry of Health, which has also been sanctioned by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

Ooi, who is also a well-known blogger, recently questioned the legality and credibility of the coalition and said he will use all federal laws available in the country to deal with the group.

He challenged their data, saying that Thor, who is a doctor and Gerakan leader, should forward their concerns to the government through their Federal Minister Koh Tsu Koon so that the matter could be raised in the Cabinet.

Ooi also asked if the federal government was willing to adopt the coalition's proposed safety limits, and if the latter agreed to do so, the authorities should instruct MCMC and the Health Ministry to issue a guideline to avoid confusion.

However, if Putrajaya refused to do so, it should take action against those spreading wrong facts under the Sedition Act or Penal Code, as the rumours can cause public unrest.

'Abusing freedom of speech'

When contacted, Ooi (below, right) continued to warn the group that he will initiate legal action against those who consistently called him names.

He said if they continued to label him "stupid and recalcitrant", he will use their statements as points of reference to sue them for defamation.

He also planned to raise the issue of the coalition's credibility and legitimacy as a group in Parliament on June 16.

"I will not allow anyone or any group to victimise the state government or the cellular phone operators who spent millions of ringgit in this project," he added.

Meanwhile, Suaram Penang Coordinator Ong Jing Cheng criticised Ooi for threatening to use the Sedition Act on the coalition just for expressing their views.

"Questioning the safety limits used by government to enable a wireless Penang is not seditious; in a democracy, this must be allowed to happen," said Ong.

"We (Suaram) have always protested the use of the act as it is often used by the government to abuse freedom of speech," he added.