Protest rallies in line with US values on free speech, says envoy

The US ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard Kagan, said he welcomed protests near the embassy as a sign of commitment to freedom of expression.

KUALA LUMPUR: The numerous protests held outside the US embassy here shows a commitment to freedom of expression that are in line with US values on free speech, says the US ambassador to Malaysia.

Edgard Kagan said the protests “show a commitment to freedom of expression that we think is right, and the US has long stood for”.

Protests have been held near the embassy in support of Palestinians and against US support of Israel, against the visit of US president Donald Trump for the Asean summit and against the proposed appointment of pro-Israel political commentator Nick Adam as the next US envoy.

Kagan said in an interview with FMT that even when protest demonstrations were unpopular with past Malaysian governments, “we stood for this”.

He also pointed out the irony of political leaders formerly against protest demonstrations who later changed their tune.

“I find it quite interesting that some of the people who, when they were in power didn’t think demonstrations and free expression were quite so good, now are very much in favour of it,” Kagan said.

Kagan said “we will take this” as a sign of shared appreciation of the value of freedom of speech.

“And as the ambassador of the United States, I just want to say we accept your apology,” he quipped.

Kagan did not name anyone in his remark.

However, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who in the past stated he would never allow street protests, had in 2016 urged the people to take to the streets to demand the resignation of then prime minister Najib Razak and in July this year, he took part in a rally calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down.

He had also criticised then US vice president Al Gore in 1998, at the height of the Reformasi movement, when Gore gave public support to protest demonstrations held following Anwar Ibrahim’s sacking as the deputy prime minister.