Responding to the arrest of seven individuals for allegedly “seditious” posts on TikTok and Facebook, Amnesty International Malaysia’s freedom of expression campaigner, Kiran Kaur has responded.
“Seven people have just been arrested for posting online – a stance in stark contradiction of the promises made by the government to protect freedom of speech in Malaysia.
“Using Malaysia’s digital laws to go after people for what they say online is not the mark of a government encouraging free speech, it is intimidation and control extended to online spaces.
“These arrests send the message that even light criticism or satire can land you in a police cell in Malaysia.”
“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim once promised to end the use of laws like the Sedition Act, but now they’re being used to silence those critical of the government,” Kiran said.
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“Satire and opinions are not crimes. Instead of policing speech online, the government should be building trust by protecting open and safe spaces for public debate.”
Background
On 6 October, Malaysian police announced the arrest of seven individuals for allegedly posting “seditious and threatening” content targeting political leaders on TikTok and Facebook.
The arrests were carried out under the Sedition Act 1948, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Penal Code — which are all a part of an arsenal of laws that have long been criticised by civil society in Malaysia.
Anwar had previously pledged to abolish and reform these repressive laws, stating in 2023 they would no longer be used against those critical of the government.
However, these recent arrests mark yet another incident where authorities have turned to colonial-era and digital laws to clamp down on free expression.
Amnesty International Malaysia has repeatedly warned that Malaysia’s overlapping and ambiguous laws create a chilling effect on free speech.
This latest use of criminal investigations against online users highlights the urgent need for the government to suspend and review these laws in line with international human rights standards, and to ensure that freedom of expression – online and offline – is fully protected. – Amnesty Malaysia
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