(New York, April 6, 2015) – The Malaysian government should withdraw the proposed counterterrorism law now with parliament and ensure future drafts protect fundamental rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 would reintroduce indefinite detention without trial or judicial review, and violate due process rights in the name of preventing terrorism. Parliament is expected to vote on the bill before the session ends on April 9, 2015.

Two defamation lawsuits were filed recently by the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore against online media regarding the publication of articles criticising their roles as leaders in their respective countries.   The defamation cases are civil suits filed as “private individuals” against online media: Singaporean blogger Roy Ngerng, and Malaysiakini, Malaysia’s most popular online news site.   Even though these lawsuits did not use existing criminal

(Bangkok, 28 May 2013): The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has condemned the charges filed against a number of activists and opposition leaders in Malaysia in relation to their exercise of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly in the past two weeks. The regional human rights group, representing 47 organisations from 16 countries across Asia, deplored what it called a post-elections crackdown on dissent by the government in the wake of allegations of electoral irregularities in the recently-concluded general elections in the country. The regional group charged that the country’s Prime Minister has reneged on his promises of greater respect for human rights since assuming power in 2009.

We, the undersigned 67 civil society organizations, trade unions and groups are shocked with the recent decision of the Malaysian cabinet on 30/1/2013 to allow employers of migrant workers to recover levy that they paid the government to employ foreign workers from migrant workers through wage deductions. 

BANGKOK, 04 May 2012 – While the significance of the rallies on 28th April will undoubtedly continue to be debated for some time, it is important that the debate not obstruct or delay badly needed electoral reforms in the country. Accusations about the protest began before the smell of tear gas had cleared the air. While the facts about Saturday’s demonstration matter, they will not change the central truth that is the pressing need for electoral system reform.