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Alerts - Malaysia

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Malaysia

Authorities urged to drop charges against protest participants

A criminal charge sheet obtained by media indicates that authorities will charge former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, president of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR); Azmin Ali, PKR deputy president; and Badrul Hisham Shaharin, a PKR activist, with disobeying judicial orders and taking part in a prohibited street protest.

Malaysia

Media freedom is far from assured, open letter tells prime minister

The media are exposed to censorship and violence and their independence is severely curtailed by the ruling coalition's political meddling, said RSF.

Malaysia

Journalists assaulted, arrested while covering protest

CIJ says this attack on nine journalists is an ongoing trend to prevent the media and citizen activists from reporting on police brutality.

Malaysia

Press still shackled despite amendments to law

The amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 only abolished some of the heavy-handed provisions that placed too much power in the executive's hands, which should never have been allowed in the first place, CIJ argues.

Malaysia

Security bill threatens basic liberties

The law which would replace the infamous ISA offers some reform but opens the door to a range of future abuses, Human Rights Watch said.

Malaysia

Ministry's show-cause letter to "The Star" unnecessary, says CIJ

The letter issued to the paper for publishing a photograph of singer Erykah Badu with body art that included markings with the Arabic word for "Allah", spotlights the draconian PPPA yet again.

Malaysia

Journalists assaulted while covering rally

CIJ urged law enforcers to investigate the fracas at the anti-Lynas rally in Penang, and protect the right to peaceful assembly.

Malaysia

Government opposes judicial review of ban on sexual diversity festival

The government should drop its objection to a judicial review of the 2011 ban on the festival, which violated principles of freedom of expression and association, says Human Rights Watch.

Saudi Arabia / Malaysia

Writer faces apostasy trial after Malaysia deports him back to Saudi Arabia

Hamza Kashgari was preparing to seek political asylum in New Zealand in light of the likely death sentence he faces in Saudi Arabia for expressing his religious views.

Saudi Arabia / Malaysia

Journalist flees country following detention order over tweets

Hamza Kashgari posted several tweets about the birth of prophet Mohamed, and was surprised to find severe attacks on him by clergymen and some Saudi citizens who were angered by what he had written.

Malaysia

IFJ supports proposed electoral reporting reforms

The organisation supports a proposal put forward by its Malaysian affiliate in response to a call for public submissions issued by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms.

Malaysia

Political satirist takes government to court over "Cartoon-O-Phobia"

Zunar (née Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque) appeared at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today for the first hearing of a civil suit brought by himself against the government and the police, in which he challenges them for his wrongful arrest and detention in September 2010.

Malaysia

Authorities urged to allow lawyers' rally to proceed

Lawyers are marching out of concern that the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association are under threat from a proposed law.

Malaysia

Government urged to ensure rights of all citizens to freedom of association, expression

Human Rights Watch is urging the government to immediately rescind a police-imposed ban on a "sexual diversity" festival and adopt measures to protect all Malaysians from discrimination.

Malaysia

Broadcast ban placed on video aimed at increasing voter registration

The video was banned just days after Prime Minister Najib Razak promised renewed efforts toward creating a more democratic and liberal Malaysia.

Malaysia

PM's promise of sweeping reforms does not extend to media freedom, says CIJ

The prime minister's minor concession in removing the requirement for an annual publishing permit in the PPPA does not address other infringements on freedom of expression within the act itself, CIJ noted.

Malaysia

CIJ expresses concern over Home Ministry's reaction to newspaper's error

The ministry issued "The Star" a show-cause letter after the newspaper included some non-halal eateries in its "Ramadhan delights" food supplement.

Malaysia

Prime minister urged to repeal PPPA and work to regain public trust in media

CIJ welcomes Prime Minister Najib Razak's call to review existing media censorship laws.

Malaysia

Confiscation of journalist's notepad by police a serious "breach of media freedom"

If the police do not refrain from such actions in future, journalists may think twice about covering issues that may lead to them having their tools of the trade surrendered to the police, says CIJ.

Malaysia

CIJ concerned over proposed media consultative council

"If the ruling government is serious about fostering media freedom, it should repeal all repressive laws and let the media self-regulate, with input from civil society and in the interest of the public," says CIJ.

Malaysia

Opposition blogger ordered to pay exorbitant damages to minister

Political blogger Amizudin Ahmat was ordered to pay 400,000 ringit in damages and costs in a defamation suit brought by the minister of information, communications and culture over a blog entry suggesting that he raped his Indonesian maid.

Malaysia

Human Rights Watch calls for the release of the "PSM 6"

Lawyers for the detainees told Human Rights Watch that the "PSM 6" have been held in solitary confinement, subjected to continual and intense interrogations, and blindfolded both in detention and during transport to meet with legal counsel.

Malaysia

Crackdown on electoral reform protesters violates right to free expression, says ARTICLE 19

Police arrested more than 1,600 protesters and fired water cannons and tear gas at Bersih 2.0 rally participants demanding electoral reforms.

Malaysia

Arrests in advance of rally for electoral reforms raise deep concerns

On the morning of June 29, authorities raided the offices of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), a coalition of civil society organisations campaigning for electoral reforms, without a warrant. The organisation's materials were confiscated and six staff members and one volunteer were arrested.

Malaysia

State should stop fuelling tensions over Bersih rally, says CIJ

Since 22 June, at least 81 persons have been arrested for their support of the movement campaigning for free and fair elections.

Malaysia

State government urged to not restrict media access

The Kelantan state government has barred "Utusan Malaysia" journalists from state assembly proceedings and other official functions.

Malaysia

Blogger on migrant workers' treatment faces company's defamation claim

Charles Hector is facing a US$3.3 million suit for his criticisms of the treatment of Burmese migrant workers at a Japanese company's facility.

Malaysia

Journalist found guilty of "tarnishing newspaper's image"

CIJ expresses concern over the guilty verdict handed down against Mohamed Ha'ta Wahari, a senior journalist with "Utusan Malaysia" daily, for allegedly tarnishing his employers' image and revealing their "secrets".

Malaysia

Control of information a concern in lead up to Sarawak elections

A number of serious incidents and factors ahead of the state elections are preventing Sarawakians from seeking, receiving and sharing vital information to help them decide representatives and the government, civil society organisations say.

Malaysia

IFJ welcomes move to establish media council

"An independent media council will act as a platform for redressing the widespread public distrust in the mainstream media which is constrained by punitive legislation," NUJM, the local IFJ affiliate, said.

Malaysia

Freedom of information law a breakthrough amid culture of secrecy

CIJ notes that while the enactment is an improvement from the watered-down version tabled for first hearing in July 2010, is still contains some glaring problems which will prevent people from enjoying the full benefits of a FOI law.

Malaysia

Authorities urged to withdraw reprimand to newspaper, repeal Printing Presses and Publications Act

"The Star" paper was reprimanded for an article on the impounding of 5,000 Malay Bibles.

Malaysia

Case against blogger withdrawn, but disturbing message prevails

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's actions appear to be sending a disturbing message to bloggers that satire will not necessarily be tolerated.

Malaysia

Human Rights Watch urges authorities to end harassment of peaceful demonstrators

"Malaysian government opposition to peaceful marches results in three big losers: the rights to free expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly," said Human Rights Watch.

Malaysia

Auxiliary police allegedly assault, arrest photographer

Hairul Nizam Baharin was allegedly assaulted and brought to the police station after refusing to stop his motorcycle and provide his identification card to the police.

Malaysia

Malaysian media groups express support for embattled journalists' union chief

Hata Wahari is being subjected to a "domestic inquiry" for statements he made about political interference in the newspaper "Utusan Malaysia," which is also his employer.

Malaysia

CIJ condemns death threats against video project participant

CIJ is very concerned about the death threats against Azwan Ismail, a participant in the video project "It Gets Better in Malaysia".

Malaysia

Plans for cyber sedition law bode ill for free expression, says CIJ

CIJ is disturbed by the government's intention to pass a law that would criminalise freedom of expression online.

Malaysia

Cartoonist Zunar goes to court to challenge ban on his books

Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anawar Ulhaque, better known by the pen name of Zunar, has brought a legal action challenging a government ban on two of his cartoon books.

Malaysia

CIJ condemns intimidation of lawyer, blogger, news site

CIJ is concerned over investigations by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission into reports on a speech by the prime minister.

Malaysia

Cartoonist released on bail but goes into hiding

RSF is disturbed by the repressive nature of the sedition investigation that has been initiated against cartoonist Zunar.

Malaysia

Political cartoonist arrested hours before launch of new book

Police raided Zunar's office seized about 70 copies of the book, "Cartoon-o-phobia", as well as several cartoon drawings.

Malaysia

Editor charged over satirical blog post

Blogger Irwan Abdul Rahman said the "fake jokes" he posts in his blogs are meant as "stress relief."

Malaysia

Civil society groups call for review of Selangor state's freedom of information bill

The new freedom of information bill is a step in the right direction, but according to the Coalition of Good Governance many changes still need to be made to strengthen it.

Malaysia

Police arrest protesters for denouncing anniversary of repressive law

Although all were later released, they have to report to a police stations within two weeks.

Malaysia

Cartoonist challenges ban on books

The cartoonist Zunar views the ban on two of his books, which are compilations of political cartoons, as disproportionate to the "challenge" posed by the publications.

Malaysia

Publications crackdown targets opposition political parties

"Malaysia's leaders hardly ever miss a chance to harass or shut down opposition papers by invoking national unity or public order, or claiming that official secrets are being revealed," Human Rights Watch said.

Malaysia

CIJ criticises government agency's interrogation of journalists

CIJ says the Securities Commission interrogations of journalists regarding a possible corporate misgovernance case demonstrate the need for greater protection of the media.

Malaysia

Lift ban on cartoons and repeal PPPA, CIJ urges

Three cartoon compilations have been banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Malaysia

"Shun self-censorship, public needs information during election," says CIJ

A daily TV programme about the social and economic plight of indigenous people was shelved after just two episodes because of an impending by-election in the state.

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