We want to exclaim “O my God, poor fellow”, or “so sad”, or perhaps maybe even a “this is not right”, but the question that follows through is, ‘Do we really care?’

– Irene Fernandez

COMMENT | The Perikatan Nasional (PN)government's crackdown on Al Jazeera is as logical in its Trumpian strategy of deflection as it is dire in its consequences. Think about it this way, the PN government claims that Al Jazeera was presenting a false narrative with their piece, "Locked up in Malaysia’s Lockdown", that a Bangladeshi migrant worker was lying when he was interviewed, and that all this is an effort to “tarnish” the reputation of Malaysia.

Apparently, going after a news organisation, deporting a source, making ridiculous statements on the use of social media, Finas licensing and questioning foreign journalists would only enhance the reputation of Malaysia as a moderate, Islamic country. Is this really the strategy of the PN government?

That it is better to be thought of as a fascist government that hounds the press, instead of being accused of mistreating migrant workers? Unfortunately, this strategy works. What the PN government has done is make this about defending the reputation of Malaysia, instead of...