THE Prime Minister was right to speak out in defence of free speech and, in particular, to specify the legal limits on this freedom.

If correctly reported he is said to have categorised criticism of the Rulers as unacceptable. Misreporting, no doubt, since the Rulers have no constitutional exemption from criticism. They can, like any other citizen, avail themselves of the provisions in both the criminal and civil law but in either case they are in exactly the same position as any other Malaysian. Sue if you want but do not claim exemption from criticism that has no basis in law.

Royalists in Malaysia would do well to familiarise themselves with the way in which criticism of the Royal Family in  the UK is treated. Indulgently and without civil, let alone, criminal penalties. Time to rise above it and seek public approbation by good conduct, not petty outrage.