PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has expressed anger over the recent arrests of activists Fahmi Reza and Mukmin Nantang, calling the move excessive use of institutional intimidation in clamping down freedom of expression.

In a statement, Anwar said the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government's actions in rolling back freedoms were desperate attempts to stop criticism and for it to cling to power.

"Malaysia has already seen its human rights and press freedom rankings decline under this regime over unchecked abuse of...