Press Statement
With the arrest of 7 members of the public for criticism and ridicule of the government and its leaders, we are in a police state
8 October 2025
We refer to the arrest of 7 members of the public by the police announced on Monday over videos made and uploaded on social media platforms TikTok and Facebook.
The videos alluded to in the statement allegedly made by the individuals were stated by the police to be videos critical of the government and government leaders. Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 505(b) and 504 of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communications And Multimedia Act 1998 (“CMA”) were invoked as the basis for the arrest and investigation of the 7 persons.
It is appalling that these arrests are being paraded by the police as a warning against the public from criticising the government or its leaders. It is even more horrendous that this government, helmed by Anwar Ibrahim, has allowed such blatant attacks on free speech under the very laws Anwar previously promised to repeal. Has the PM and his cohorts in Pakatan Harapan forgotten their promise to uphold free speech and the right to criticise the government?
Criticisms and even ridicule of the PM, the government or its leaders are not crimes; they are an exercise of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution. The government and its members are certainly not immune from criticism and ridicule, and it is farfetched to claim that such actions are disruptive to public order warranting an arrest and criminal investigation. If criticism of government leaders is a crime, why did leaders of PH protest against similar actions taken against them under the same laws when they were in opposition?
The PM and members of his government ought to know, having been on the receiving end of unjust and politically motivated police probes themselves when they were in the opposition, that punitive acts against detractors and critics of the government are not justified and are an affront to free speech. The right to free speech cannot be said to exist if those utilising it face arrest for the exercise of that very right.
The police have been allowed, either directly or tacitly by the government, to conduct rampant attacks on fundamental liberties. We are now in a police state, and the statement issued by the police is clear proof of this. It was made as a show of strength and as an act of intimidation towards the general public from exercising their right of free speech. The government cannot sidestep responsibility for the actions of the police.
The statement also shows blatant disregard for the rule of law. Why have they in this announcement cited past criminal conducts of some of the individuals arrested? Past criminal conduct are not relevant to prove the commission of the crime now alleged, so why was it mentioned at all? It only serves to raise questions of the integrity of the police and the investigations they are now conducting. Is the Home Minister yet again going to spring into the police defence to justify this clear abuse of power?
This government has time and again proven that their promises are hollow words meant only to secure votes with no intent of honouring them. They have betrayed their mandate and instead of being the government bringing about Reformasi, they are instead responsible for the worsening state of civil liberties.
Should they disagree, prove it through action. Repeal the Sedition Act, Section 233 of the CMA and halt any arrest of individuals, critiquing, disagreeing or ridiculing the government or its leaders. Halt the rapid slide to a police state.
Issued by,
Zaid Malek
Director
Lawyers For Liberty