FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION IN MALAYSIA: PROTECTION UNDER THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION

Abstract

This study aims to understand the position of freedom of speech and expression and the right
to freedom of speech in Malaysia stipulated in the Federal Constitution, the controversy over
restrictions on freedom of speech, and the issues that hinder freedom of speech from being
fully practised. Therefore, the study focuses the extent of freedom of speech and expression
under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. This study employes qualitative analysis based on
secondary data collection. As a result, the findings indicate that the Constitution does promote
the right to freedom of speech and expression, and it is included in Article 10 of the Federal
Constitution of Malaysia, which allows only its citizens to exercise. Freedom of speech and
expression does not have any general structure and is notoriously known by others, such as
national safety issues, public well-being, and good impulses. Nonetheless, the study lacks
behind the analysis of present position of free speech and hate speech in Malaysia. However,
the right to free speech is a fundamental part of human beings and the establishment of a free
society. The study will pay attention among residence on the importance of their information
in various platforms like social media and the limitations of their freedom of speech and
expressions.