Arrested blogger faces up to six years in jail and lawsuit for writing about murder case
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 23 July 2008 CPJ press release: Malaysian blogger charged with criminal defamation New York, July 23, 2008 – The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns the recent arrest and criminal defamation charges filed by the Malaysian government against prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, editor and founder of the Malaysia […]
Online critic rearrested, charged with criminal defamation over story
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Several Malaysian non-government organisations (NGOs) are up in arms over what they claim as the government’s continuous invoking of laws to criminalise free expression. In a press statement, SEAPA partner Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), along with the National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) and Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI), said such offenses […]
Government measures seek to restrict media access to Parliament
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Media advocates in Malaysia are calling on the government to explain the new limitations recently placed on journalists’ access to Parliament. In a statement issued on 25 June 2008, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s Alerts partner in Kuala Lumpur, said it is “deeply concerned about the ban imposed by the Parliament […]
Blogger released on bail; online writer detained briefly, released on bail; opposition politician faces sedition complaint over comment
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is concerned by a spate of sedition threats in Malaysia, where sedition is a criminal offence punishable with a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of up to RM5,000 (approx. US$1,566), or both. On 6 May 2008, a well-known online critic, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, and a commentator on […]
Blogger jailed, faces sedition charges over article implicating deputy prime minister in 2006 murder
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 7 May 2008 CPJ press release: Malaysia: Blogger held on sedition charges New York, May 7, 2008 – The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for sedition charges to be dropped against Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who was jailed Tuesday. He is being held in connection with a story […]
Government may abolish newspaper licencing system, says CPJ
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 2 May 2008 CPJ letter to Home Affairs Minister Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar: 2 May 2008 Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar Minister of Home Affairs Government of Malaysia Blok D2, Parcel D, Pusat Pentadbiran Putrajaya, Malaysia By facsimile: (603)-8889-1613 Dear Minister Albar, The Committee to Protect Journalists warmly […]
Tamil-language paper denied licence renewal, effectively banned
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Malaysian officials have rejected a Tamil-language newspaper’s application for a publishing permit – an annual requirement for periodicals under the draconian Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) – in effect, banning the daily that had existed since the early 1990s. The publishing permit of “Makkal Osai” (The People’s Voice) expired on 15 October […]
Annual Report 2008: Malaysia
Annual Report 2008: Malaysia
Local free expression group calls for end to restrictive media laws, improved ethical standards and competition among media outlets
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a SEAPA press release: Local free expression group calls for media reform following ruling government’s polls setback The unprecedented losses borne by Malaysia’s ruling coalition in the 8 March 2008 polls reflected not only the people’s disenchantment with the general state of affairs but also their rejection of the propaganda […]
World Report 2008: Malaysia
World Report 2008: Malaysia
Freedom of the Press 2007: Malaysia
Freedom of the Press 2007: Malaysia
Election results reflect voters’ demand for democratic reforms and freedom of expression, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a SEAPA media statement: Malaysians win a chance at meaningful democratic reform Bangkok (12 March 2008) – The stunning setback to Malaysia’s ruling coalition in the country’s recent national elections underscores the people’s demand for political and democratic reforms, and the need for greater openness in the Southeast Asian country. […]
Government restraints on expression ahead of elections will deny citizens a fair vote, says Human Rights Watch
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a Human Rights Watch press release: Malaysia: Citizens Denied a Fair Vote Bias in Electoral Process Favors Ruling Coalition in March 8 Poll (New York, March 5, 2008) – Government restraints on expression, assembly and access to state media will deny Malaysians a fair vote in […]
Newspapers compelled to engage in self-censorship of election campaign coverage by delays in licence approvals
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is concerned that the fate of two newspapers in Malaysia is being left hanging by the authorities following the expiration of their licences, and that this has had a debilitating effect on their coverage of news in the run-up to the nationwide elections. The annual publishing permits for the Tamil-language “Makkal Osai” […]
CAPSULE REPORT: Free expression declines in 2007 with increased executive interference, persecution, says CIJ report
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 7 February 2008 SEAPA alert: Free expression in Malaysia declines with increased executive interference, persecution Malaysia experienced further deterioration in free expression in 2007, reports SEAPA’s local partner, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), in its inaugural annual review released on 16 December 2007. There was a “shrinking of […]
Commission on judicial scandal threatens critics with contempt charges
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A Royal Commission of Inquiry into a video clip that implied interference in senior judicial appointments in Malaysia is threatening to hold in contempt a human rights organisation and an opposition leader over their criticisms about the ongoing hearing. SEAPA shares the concern of its local partner, the Centre for Independent Journalism, who […]