PSM: Hunter's arrest raises alarm over Asean clampdown on dissent

Summary

• Parti Sosialis Malaysia questions whether Murray Hunter’s arrest in Thailand on MCMC’s defamation charge signals Asean states cooperating to suppress dissent and free speech.

• Deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan criticises the government’s priorities, noting fugitive Jho Low remains free.

• He calls on Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to clarify Malaysia’s stance on press freedom and international judicial cooperation.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) asked if the arrest of political commentator and academic researcher Murray Hunter marked the start of cooperation within Asean to suppress dissent and free speech across the region.

PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan also condemned the government's priorities in pursuing Hunter's (above) arrest, noting that fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho remains at large.

"Previously, Malaysia facilitated the deportation of Cambodian domestic worker Nuon Thoeun, who was returned to Cambodia for criticising its government's leaders.

"Now, the arrest of a foreign journalist and researcher, who also happens to be a critic of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, sends a chilling warning to critical truth-seeking journalists throughout Southeast Asia," Arutchelvan said in a statement today.

Hunter, who is an Australian national, was detained for 48 hours and charged in Thailand over his criticisms of the MCMC.

He was eventually released on bail on Sept 30 after being detained the day before, and is awaiting trial on Nov 17, where he claims that the MCMC will be called as the accuser.

Grave concern

In a phone interview with Malaysiakini yesterday, Hunter claimed that the Thai police had been acting on MCMC’s orders. He claimed that he had been charged with defamation over several of his blog articles, which had criticised the Malaysian authorities.

Arutchelvan called on Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to clarify Malaysia's stance on press freedom and cross-border judicial cooperation.

"We watch with grave concern as the MCMC seeks to use Thai courts to pursue a defamation case.

"If this proceeds, it would set a dangerous regional precedent, one where governments collaborate to silence critics beyond their borders," he said.

He added that journalists will have to rethink their perception that Bangkok is a safe haven for them as well as a hub for raising human rights issues.

3R probe

In March 2024, the Malaysian police initially lodged a “3R probe” against Hunter for his alleged criticism of matters concerning race, religion, and royalty.

Then-inspector-general of police Razarudin Husain had also announced that the Malaysian police had requested Interpol’s assistance to locate Hunter, whom they believed was residing in Bangkok.

In April 2024, the MCMC similarly lodged a police report against Hunter for his slanderous blog posts. MCMC claimed that Hunter had openly accused the commission of acting beyond its jurisdiction for personal interests, and that the commission and the police were trying to scare the public.

Lawyers for Liberty had then criticised the move as clamping down on free speech and criticism, describing it as “unfair” for the public to receive a police complaint from a major public body, such as the MCMC.

Propagating culture of censorship

Rights groups Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and PEN Malaysia said using Thai authorities to silence dissent constitutes an overreach of powers and jurisdiction.

The groups added that it raises questions about proportionality and whether it was necessary for a local agency to use public funds to pursue a political commentator abroad for alleged defamation against a public institution.

“Alarmingly, Hunter’s arrest sets a dangerous precedent, propagating a culture of censorship that is supported by the Asean community.

“Media freedom and the safety of journalists and human rights defenders are already under threat in Southeast Asia.

“This incident further promotes the political curbing of legitimate discourse and arbitrarily prevents criticism of the Malaysian government and our public institutions, which is bolstered by the Thai authorities,” they said in a joint statement.

‘Ask MCMC’

Taking MCMC to task, the groups questioned where the checks and balances are to keep the agency in check.

“Who is responsible for holding MCMC accountable when its powers are used in ways that might threaten constitutional freedoms?

“How is this alleged action by MCMC justified when taxpayers’ money is spent on silencing critics instead of addressing urgent online issues like scams, fraud, child sexual abuse, disinformation and hate speech?” they asked.

When asked about Hunter’s detention yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the question should be directed to MCMC.

“I don’t have information (on the matter), refer to the MCMC,” Fahmi added.

'Ask MCMC' - Fahmi on researcher's detention

Activist rues being hauled up over post on temple desecrator

LFL should be fair in any dispute, equal to all - NPC president

LFL flays MCMC over 'unnecessary' report against blogger

MCMC reject's blogger's accusations, lodges police report