Hunter nabbed for failing to cooperate with Thai authorities, says MCMC

Thai authorities detained political commentator Murray Hunter after he failed to cooperate with them in an investigation, said MCMC.

Elaborating, MCMC stated that the arrest was linked to his non-compliance with summonses issued by the Thai authorities to assist in their investigation.

“All matters relating to the arrest, potential offences, and possible charges fall under the jurisdiction of the Thai authorities.

“MCMC respects and will abide by the due process and decisions of the Thai justice system,” Free Malaysia Today reported the commission as saying today.

Hunter, an Australian national, was released on bail a day later after being detained on Sept 29 at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

He is awaiting trial on Nov 17, where he claimed that the MCMC will be called as the accuser.

Based on official court documents and police reports, Hunter had been charged under Section 328 of the Thai Criminal Code with defamation, where four of his Substack articles were quoted as defamatory material.

The documents also included links to Hunter’s Substack posts, where he had criticised the MCMC, the Malaysian police, and Umno leaders as allegedly flaunting the Constitution for their own benefit and disregarding public interests.

Hunter, who is also an academic researcher, denied the accusations that described his posts as a criminal offence, which has caused the victim to suffer reputational damage, contempt, and/or hatred.

Refer to MCMC

Questioned on the arrest during a press conference on Oct 1, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the matter should be referred to MCMC.

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

On that note, MCMC said it has lodged police reports in Malaysia and Thailand concerning Hunter’s publications concerning Malaysian institutions, including MCMC, in April and June last year.

A civil suit was also filed in Malaysia, with the cause papers served on him in Thailand.

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