M'sia regressing on human rights issues, groups say

As the world celebrates International Human Rights Day today, several groups lament that Malaysia is sliding in terms of upholding human rights despite the present administration promising reforms to the electorate prior to the last general election.

Touching on freedom of expression, Article 19 said the people must remember that it is not a privilege granted by the state, but rather an inherent right essential for every person to live freely and safely.

“Until the government makes good its electoral promises on human rights, the guarantee of fundamental freedoms as an everyday essential for Malaysians will remain just that - an empty promise,” said its senior programme officer E Nalini in a statement today.

Citing examples, Nalini pointed to the injunction issued by a High Court against Telegram on Sept 11, which was initiated by the MCMC.

The NGO leader said it sets a worrying precedent as it allows the authorities to censor criticism of those in public institutions.

Nalini also voiced concerns over the government’s idea to require all social media platforms in Malaysia to implement a mandatory electronic Know-Your-Customer (e-KYC) verification, which civil society groups have warned could undermine the right to privacy, freedom of expression and non-discrimination.

“Further plans to introduce a social media ban for children under the age of 16 and to soon put in place a slew of subsidiary instruments under the Onsa (Online Safety Act) raise additional concerns about the disproportionate restrictions on online speech,” she added.

Book ban, stifling critics

Nalini said the government is still using repressive laws to intimidate human rights defenders, ban publications deemed a threat to morality or public order, and stifle speech against those critical of the government and its policies.

“These laws include Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984, and some key provisions of the Penal Code.

“While civil society welcomed the passage of the Media Council Act in February, this positive move was overshadowed by ongoing attacks against journalists and news outlets,” Nalini added.

On that note, Nalini also expressed concerns over the use of laws to discriminate against minority communities, such as the LGBTQ+ people.

Citing examples, she pointed to the anti-LGBTQ+ signboard placed in Terengganu and the authority’s inaction to investigate reported hate comments and death threats targeting organisers of a health awareness workshop in June.

“Apart from book bans, authorities conducted several raids, including one in Kelantan that revealed the troubling misuse of power and dissemination of disinformation against the LGBTQ+ community,” she added.

Anwar’s empty rhetoric

Echoing Nalini’s sentiments, Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) president S Shashi Kumar said before getting elected to power, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had promised “new politics” to uplift the rights of minority communities – premised on inclusivity and multicultural governance.

“However, three years on, these promises appear to have been mere political rhetoric aimed at securing electoral support, with no progress made,” he said in a statement today.

Instead, Shashi said Malaysians are now left grappling with rising racial and religious intolerance, which is rapidly becoming a serious threat to national unity and harmony.

“This growing divide must not be ignored if patriotism is to remain a vital foundation for national peace, cohesion, and progress,” he stressed.

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