Aliran strongly condemns the arrest of journalist Rex Tan under the draconian Sedition Act.
Tan’s arrest sends the wrong message to the journalistic fraternity and the public in Malaysia that journalists may risk arrest if they raise controversial or sensitive questions in their line of duty.
Although Tan has been released after a magistrate allowed only a one-day remand period, he is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for allegedly making statements that cause alarm and fear.
Tan’s plight risks hampering press freedom as some journalists may now exercise self-censorship in raising questions, thus jeopardising the search for truth and justice. Indeed, many journalists are already exercising self-censorship, and this incident only heightens the climate of fear.
Like George Galloway, we do not agree with Tan’s statements or his attempt to draw a parallel between race relations in Malaysia and the genocide in Palestine.
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Nevertheless, Tan’s concern about how to address exclusive nationalism, xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments in Malaysia today is valid, though not in the context of Palestine. It needs to be acknowledged and addressed in other appropriate avenues.
The apologies from Tan and Free Malaysia Today should be accepted.
Aliran defends the constitutional right of journalists and others to freedom of expression, to raise questions and seek clarification.
We are concerned that the use of undemocratic laws such as the Sedition Act makes the role of the Malaysian Media Council as a self-regulatory body redundant.
This is why Aliran has in the past recommended that laws that stifle media freedom should be repealed in tandem with the formation of the council. Otherwise, there would be an additional layer of repressive control over the media on top of self-regulation by the industry.
Aliran reiterates its demand for the government to fulfil its reform promise to repeal the draconian Sedition Act and other laws that criminalise certain forms of speech and stifle media freedom.
Aliran executive committee
17 January 2026
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
