KUALA LUMPUR: The ongoing Blockout 2024 campaign, initially focused on American celebrities criticised for their silence on Palestine has extended to Malaysia.
The blockout, which began at the Met Gala 2024 fashion show in New York on May 6, was a global movement against artistes who kept silent in the face of Israel's aggression towards the Palestinians.
The TikTok campaign by social media influencer ladyfromtheoutside targeted actress Kim Kardashian and singers BlackPink, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, among others, and caused them to lose many social media followers.
In Malaysia, the campaign has also listed names of celebrities to be boycotted.
Its purpose, among others, was to stop the marketing content of artistes related to the promotion of products or brands that are alleged to support Israel.
This campaign, while increasing awareness about the struggles of the Palestinians, has unfortunately led to instances where artistes faced insults and even death threats as a result.
Last week, singer Naim Daniel received threatening comments against his parents.
The threat was following Naim's remarks against the boycott campaign. He later lodged a police report against a social media user.
The country's number one singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin said she continues to support efforts to highlight the suffering that is going on in Gaza.
However, she said such efforts should not be excessive.
"Whatever it is, it must be civilised. For me, this is crucial. If we want to criticise, let it be done with civility.
"That's what is taught in our religion too. Let's make sure it doesn't embarrass anyone," she said in a special report on the 2024 Blockout Campaign aired on TV3's Buletin Utama tonight.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the solidarity campaign must be made based on truth, knowledge and ethics.
He urged the people not to take extreme measures in their campaigns of solidarity with the Palestinians.
Legal practitioner Mahmud Jumaat told 'Buletin Utama' that the right to boycott has its limit.
"There should be no element of threats to anyone who is has different opinions.
"This boycott is an action under the basic rights of an individual to speak out. This boycott is not wrong.
"Based on the law, there is no issue, but it must not involve losses or any prejudice being made against any party whose opinion may not align with the other person.
"This is because maybe our ways are different when it comes to showing support and solidarity to the Palestinian people." said Mahmud.
Those who utter baseless accusations and slanderous statements could be charged under the Seditious Publications Act 1957.
If there is an element of criminal intimidation, an individuals can be charged under Section 503 of the Penal Code.
