Malaysia: Visiting British PM must call for an end to the crackdown on dissent

29 July 2015

Kuala Lumpur, Paris, 29 July, 2015 – Visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron must call on the Malaysian government to immediately lift censorship of independent media and end the ongoing crackdown on dissenting voices, FIDH and its member organization Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) said today. Mr. Cameron will arrive in Kuala Lumpur on July 30 for a one-day official visit to the country.

"Prime Minister Cameron must tell his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak that restrictions on freedom of information are unacceptable for a country that aspires to be a rights-respecting democracy and an attractive destination for foreign investors," said FIDH President Karim Lahidji.

On 19 July, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which is the government's regulatory body for mass media, blocked the independent website Sarawak Report. Sarawak Report published numerous reports and documents detailing allegations of fraud, mismanagement, and misappropriation of funds by the debt-ridden state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). According to the Wall Street Journal, 1MDB indirectly supported the 2013 election campaign of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who also serves as the Chairman of 1MDB's Board of Advisors. 1MDB's high debts and lack of transparency have spurred four government investigations.

The MCMC claimed that the information on the Sarawak Report website threatened the country's stability and violated Articles 211 and 233 of the 1998 Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA). Articles 211 and 233 ban the dissemination of information that is "indecent, obscene, false, menacing, or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person." On 24 July, the MCMC warned that anyone found to be reproducing content from Sarawak Report could face legal action under the CMA.

Following the block on Sarawak Report, on 23 July, the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the suspension of the publishing permits of two newspapers The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for three months beginning 27 July because of a series of articles covering the controversial dealings of the 1MDB. The ministry said the publications' coverage of the 1MDB affair was "prejudicial to public order, security or likely to alarm public opinion."

Authorities also targeted individuals who criticized 1MDB. On 22 July, immigration authorities in Kuala Lumpur stopped opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) MP Tony Pua from leaving Malaysia on a work-related trip. Pua had previously denounced 1MDB for its alleged wrongdoings. Police said they were investigating Tony Pua, People's Justice Party (PKR) MP Rafizi Ramli, and The Edge Media Group owner Tong Kooi Ong under Article 124 of the Criminal Code. Article 124 relates to activities deemed "detrimental to parliamentary democracy." The three could each face prison sentences of up to 20 years if charged and convicted.

"Media coverage and individual opinions about the 1MDB affair have served as a major irritant with Prime Minister Najib's administration. If the government has nothing to hide, it should promote transparency instead of launching relentless attacks on the Malaysian people's right to be informed about this important issue," said SUARAM Executive Director Sevan Doraisamy.

The latest wave of repression of dissenting voices occurs amid the government's ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression. Since the May 2013 general election, authorities have arbitrarily arrested and charged dozens of people, including activists, bloggers, journalists, lawyers, academics, opposition politicians, students, and a cartoonist under the 1948 Sedition Law for their legitimate criticism of the government.

Last Update: 31 July