Malaysia

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 10 July 2006 ARTICLE 19 press release: Malaysia: 18 Books banned for disrupting peace and harmony ARTICLE 19 strongly condemns the Malaysian authorities’ banning of 18 books over the last month on the grounds that they may ‘disrupt peace and harmony’. Six of these books were printed in […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – Malaysia’s Ministry of Internal Security has banned 18 books on Islam and religion for their alleged potential to “disrupt peace and harmony”. The ban was ordered in accordance with the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984, which prohibits the reproduction or distribution of materials that disrupt peace and harmony. The banned books […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – A journalist working with Malaysia’s Chinese-language online publication, MerdekaReview.com, was assaulted by police while he was covering a peaceful demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 28 May 2006. Lim Hong Siang was kicked by a policeman before identifying himself as a journalist, according to Malaysia’s independent media advocacy group, the Centre for Independent Journalism […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – A Tamil-language daily, “Makkal Osai”, has received phone calls from individuals threatening to burn down its offices and legal notice of defamation suits after publishing reports revealing “controversial” comments allegedly made by a cabinet minister. S.M. Periasamy, group general manager of Makkal Osai Group, said he received anonymous telephone calls on 18 and […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – Malaysia’s mainstream press self-censored its coverage of recent public protests against fuel price hikes to avoid courting government’s disapproval and a possible “selective” crackdown, says SEAPA. At least two peaceful protests held outside the headquarters of the national oil company Petronas in Kuala Lumpur on 11 and 26 March 2006 were dispersed by […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a statement from the Centre for Independent Journalism, SEAPA’s local partner in Malaysia: The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) wishes to express deep concern and dismay that the “New Straits Times” (NST), one of the region’s oldest and most well-established newspapers, was issued a show-cause letter from the Internal Security […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 22 February 2006 statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism, SEAPA’s partner in Malaysia: The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned over the actions taken against undergraduate students of Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang for expressing their opinions on critical issues, including those that challenge the validity of […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 16 February 2006 statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s partner in Malaysia: The CIJ is deeply concerned about the two-week suspension issued to Guang Ming Ribao Sendirian Berhad, the publisher of the newspaper “Guang Ming Daily” afternoon edition. The suspension followed closely on the heels of […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a statement issued by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s local partner in Malaysia: The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is deeply concerned about the indefinite suspension of East Malaysian daily “Sarawak Tribune”, following its decision to reprint Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed on 4 February 2006. The […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – Malaysia’s independent media advocacy group, the Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), has expressed concerns that authorities may revoke the printing license of a local Chinese-language newspaper, “China Press”, over its recent headline which referred to the nationality of an abused detainee in a controversial video clip. CIJ cited a recent report in a […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is protesting the recent arrest and detention of six peaceful demonstrators during the gathering of Southeast Asian leaders in Kuala Lumpur. Such actions are a blatant violation of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly rights, which are both enshrined within the Malaysian Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), SEAPA’s local partner in Malaysia, has expressed concern that prominent dissident Anwar Ibrahim’s recent lawsuit award could undermine efforts to rationalise libel and defamation awards and endanger freedom of expression in the country. On 18 August 2005, the High Court awarded Anwar damages worth RM4.5 million (approx. […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – Attacks on Malaysian Internet journalists and bloggers show no sign of decreasing despite the perceived positive attitude towards the media adopted by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Abdullah Ahmad recently called on the government and its agencies to respect criticism from the media and to accept such criticism as feedback […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF wrote to Malaysia’s Internal Security Ministry on 15 July 2005 saying its decision to maintain an import ban on all copies of the “Epoch Times” newspaper on diplomatic grounds was a serious press freedom violation. The Internal Security Ministry said on 7 July it would continue to block all copies of the […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: (IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Malaysia silences free press The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned by the actions of the Malaysian National Security Bureau, which has banned several editions and halted distribution of the popular Chinese-language Epoch Times newspaper […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA has expressed grave concern over a perceived trend of official harassment being waged against Malaysian bloggers. Citing news reports that yet another blogger was “cordially” questioned by Malaysian police recently, SEAPA said Kuala Lumpur’s policing of the Internet is reaching a critical stage that needs to be recognised and confronted by rights […]