The rise of NGOs with alleged links to the government was raised during the launch of the 2016 Suaram Human Rights report on Malaysia today.

“We have seen many recent protests spearheaded by non-state actors supported by the government.

“The rise of these non-state actors is countering the growing democratic and human rights movement”, said Suaram project coordinator Dobby Chew at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Last year, the red shirts movement led by Umno Sungai Besar division chief Jamal Md Yunos staged large-scale protests against Bersih 5 and news portal Malaysiakini.

Last November, a group led by Umno Youth protested water shortages in Selangor by throwing empty buckets and water bottles at the Selangor secretariat building.

Activist Pang Khee Teik, who was in the audience, noted how the government appeared to be “trying to reclaim rights and activism” from civil society through such government-linked groups.

“They are using the rights framework to support very limited types of rights,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bar Council member Andrew Khoo claimed how only certain “government-friendly lawyers” were asked by the government for consultations.

“Is this so the government can say they have engaged with the legal community?” he asked.

Similarly, Chew highlighted how only selected NGOs have the chance to dialogue with the government on social political issues.

“This is the government’s way of engaging with civil and political rights but without actually inviting many NGO groups," he said.

With elections looming, Chew anticipated more activity from government-linked groups.

Earlier today, Suaram director Kua Kia Soong wrote an overview of the 2016 Suaram Human Rights report on Malaysia, highlighting detention-without-trial laws as well as the high number of deaths in custody.

Inspired by Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah’s solitary confinement under Sosma, graphic designer and artist Fahmi Reza designed the front cover of the report.

This is Suaram’s 19th human rights report on Malaysia since the NGO began in 1998.