PETALING JAYA: Politicians may not like to be criticised, but they must never take action against individuals who call them out, says Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (pic).

       He said everyone had a right to speak up in a democratic setting.

       "I have always held the position that we should not take action against people who criticise us as politicians.

       We, as politicians, should be able to reply – and if we can't, just keep quiet.

       "We should be able to distinguish between 'noise' and actual critics," he said during a virtual press conference on Thursday (Aug 12).

       Saifuddin was referring to an incident where several people were arrested and investigated for allegedly criticising Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for making a joke about Covid-19 deaths.

       Elaborating further, Saifuddin said as politicians, there are bound to be friends and also enemies.

       "Politicians, as democrats, should allow people to criticise us although we may not like it," he added.

       Saifuddin quoted a line used by author Evelyn Beatrice Hall to describe philosopher Voltaire on the freedom of speech: "I'd disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it." Sanusi courted flak when he allegedly gave an insensitive answer on the shortage of morgues during a press conference.

       "Containers for the dead are enough, who want to go in can give their names," Sanusi was quoted as allegedly saying.