Rights group lambasts govt over lack of reform commitment

Summary:

• The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) criticised the Madani government for failing to deliver on promised reforms.

• Between January and November 2024, authorities invoked restrictive laws 187 times to suppress free speech.

• CIJ raised alarms over new measures, such as amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act and the Online Safety Bill.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has criticised the Madani government for what it described as a lack of commitment towards implementing promised reforms, particularly regarding freedom of expression.

In launching its annual report on “The State of Freedom of Expression 2024” today, the group said its monitoring exercise revealed that the authorities have invoked repressive laws a total of 187 times between January and November to stifle free speech, assembly and expression.

The laws include the Sedition Act, Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA), Peaceful Assembly Act and the Penal Code, among others.

"Alarmingly, the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the CMA remain the most weaponised tools, with Section 233 alone accounting for more than half of all recorded investigations.

"The continued use of these laws corroborates our observations on the Madani government’s lack of commitment to its pledges of reform," said CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu.

The rights group launched its report during an event at Kampung Attap in Kuala Lumpur this morning, where they also held a forum to discuss the issue.

They also raised concerns over Putrajaya's move to introduce new measures and legislations that can restrict rights in digital spaces, including the recent amendments to the CMA and the new Online Safety Bill that was passed by the Dewan Rakyat.

Wathshlah (above) said the measures risk turning the country's online spaces into "overly regulated environments" and reinforcing authorities' control over digital platforms.

Backtrack promises

According to CIJ's report, they found the government had backtracked on its promises of media freedom by blocking news websites and investigating journalists.

It also criticised investigations and arrests over online posts, which CIJ said had led to a chilling effect on Malaysians voicing dissenting opinions.

Thus, Wathshlah said, CIJ reiterates their call for the government to repeal or amend the repressive laws that stifle freedom of expression, and for the strengthening of independent oversight mechanisms.

"We also call for the government to accelerate the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council and enact a Right to Information Act to safeguard press freedom and public access to information," she said.

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