(Oct 12): Umno veteran Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has raised concern over the lack of tolerance towards dissent, at a time when there are issues plaguing and worrying the people.

The former international trade and industry minister wrote on her Facebook page about the spate of arrests lately, including against those who made police reports over irregularities and those accused of "dropping balloons from above".

"Without going into each individual case, it is clear that there is now widespread concern about intolerance of any dissent from anyone or any quarter.

"Dissent has now been interpreted to be 'anti-government' and 'anti-leadership', and particular sections of existing laws are being cited to justify the arrests," she wrote.

She added that while those who undermine national interest should not be tolerated, there must be a line drawn between questioning actions of leaders and making police reports on issues by those seeking answers.

She said leaders must not be seen as being untouchables, where no one can question or criticise them.

Rafidah said in current times, knowledge and information can be obtained instantly and nothing could be swept under the "proverbial carpet".

She added that cross border information flow ensured that people would eventually know the facts.

"It would do the government much good if dissent can be viewed positively, to appreciate and understand that not everyone will agree to everything that is being done, or to what is happening.

"It would be counter-productive if the government uses the strong arm approach in dealing with such dissent, specially if that dissent is indeed reflective of the feelings of a vast majority," she added.

Rafidah reminded that when the Internal Security Act (ISA) was enforced, Malaysia was branded a police state, and with the current spate of arrests, the world was watching Malaysia.

Former Umno branch leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang were recently arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, or Sosma.

Both were charged today with attempting to sabotage the Malaysian economy and the country's financial and banking system.

Khairuddin had lodged reports with investigators abroad against 1MDB.

Chang, a former political aide to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was detained under Section 124K and 124L of the Penal Code that deals with sabotage and attempting to sabotage the state respectively.

Last month, dancer Bilqis Hijjas pleaded not guilty to dropping balloons at an event which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife attended.

On August 31, Bilqis released yellow balloons with the words "democracy", "free media" and "justice" printed on them from Level 5 of the Pavillion mall in Kuala Lumpur, during an event attended by Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

The balloons floated down behind the big screen television set at the event.

After the incident, Bilqis was nabbed by the mall’s auxiliary police and later handed over to the Dang Wangi police. – The Malaysian Insider