Press Statement No offence was committed by creators or book publishers of ‘Jata Negara art-work’ 1 July 2020 We refer to the statement made by the UMNO Youth Chief, Dr Asyraf Wajdi, who called for stern action to be taken against those responsible for publishing a book entitled ‘Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope In…
Press Statement Authorities must stop usage of oppressive section 233 of CMA/Sedition Act 1948 5 June 2020 We refer to the criminal charges that were levelled against Datuk R. Sri Sanjeevan at the Sessions Court today for purportedly spreading ‘false communication’ regarding the Royal Malaysian Police (‘PDRM’). It is disturbing that s.233(1)(a) is…
Press Statement No sincere offer of amnesty was ever given to migrants 1 June 2020 We refer to the puzzling statement made by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, where he stated the offer of amnesty for undocumented immigrants to come forward and get tested for COVID-19 has ended. We strongly…
Press Statement Undocumented migrants are not ‘acceptable casualties’ of the COVID-19 pandemic 27 May 2020 We view with grave concern the remark made by the Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, where he stated the Government will not “bow down” to demands to protect migrants’ rights in order to protect Malaysians from…
Press Statement Discontinue police probe upon politician under Sedition Act & s 233(1) CMA 21 May 2020 We refer to the statement yesterday by Bukit Aman that politician Xavier Jayakumar is being investigated under the Sedition Act and s 233(1) Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) over remarks he made relating to the parliament sitting.…
Press Statement Home Minister’s statement is worrying sign for the future of freedom of expression in Malaysia 15 May 2020 Lawyers for Liberty are extremely concerned by Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin’s statement yesterday in relation to false news and seditious statements. The statement claims that there has been an increase in false…
Kenyataan Media Serbuan Terhadap Warga Asing Zalim dan Langgar Saranan WHO dan ILO 11 Mei 2020 Langkah kerajaan yang giat menyerbu warga asing dan pelarian di Malaysia sejak dua minggu lepas dan bersambung lagi pada hari ini adalah tindakan yang zalim dan tidak wajar selain melanggar saranan kedua-dua badan antarabangsa World Health Organisation dan…
Press Statement Arrest and remand of Patrick Teoh is unnecessary and excessive 11 May 2020 Lawyers for Liberty views with extreme concern the arrest and remand of Patrick Teoh, a radio personality and actor, in connection with the allegation that he insulted the Johor Crown Prince, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, on social media. Although…
Press Statement Large arrests of undocumented workers at Masjid India a serious setback in fight against Covid 19 2 May 2020 We refer to the arrest and detentions of large numbers of undocumented workers in Masjid India and Menara City One yesterday in a huge operation by Immigration and other enforcement bodies. Carried out…
Press Statement Authorities must exercise restraint in MCO arrests and charges in view of high compliance 30 April 2020 Lawyers for Liberty views with concern the high number of arrests, remand orders and prison sentences for violations of the Movement Control Order (MCO). These actions go against international guidance on detention during the Covid-19…
Press Statement Malaysia should be safe haven for refugees in need 28 April 2020 We refer to the events of 16 April 2020, when the Royal Malaysian Airforce and the Royal Malaysian Navy intercepted a boat carrying over 200 Rohingya near Langkawi. Those on board were merely given some food and water and…
Press Statement Authorities must consider alternatives to detention during Covid-19 pandemic 31 March 2020 In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lawyers for Liberty urges the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Prisons Department and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to take all necessary action to protect people in detention facilities and those who…
Press Statement Singapore police raid on lawyer M Ravi is highly prejudicial to the pending cases of Malaysian death row prisoners in Changi prison 14 March 2020 We refer to the raid yesterday morning by the Singapore police force on the legal firm of prominent Singapore human rights lawyer M Ravi.…
Press Statement Police should not derail reform efforts by clamping down on freedom of expression 2 March 2020 Lawyers for Liberty views with concern the press statement issued by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) on 1 March 2020, revealing that they are investigating four persons under both the Sedition Act and Section 233 of…
Press Statement The reform process in Malaysia must not be derailed 25 February 2020 We refer to the political developments that resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad yesterday and the subsequent collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. The 14th General Elections (GE14) was unprecedented in Malaysia’s history, as…