Malaysia

Freedom of expression in Malaysia continues to deteriorate, with human rights defenders, journalists and protestors targeted with criminal sanctions for exercising their rights. The government has yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and many of the country’s laws fall short of international standards on free expression. Laws such as the Penal Code and Sedition Act, as well as increasingly the Communications and Multimedia Act, are used against human rights defenders and media organisations for comments online and offline which are critical of the government and address corruption.

ARTICLE 19’s work in Malaysia includes advocating for the reform of laws which restrict free expression, working to improve religious tolerance and combat hate speech, and documenting violations of freedom of expression in Malaysia.  We work to address three inter-related issues: the use of hate speech and discriminatory language on social media targeting religious and ethnic minorities; moves by the government to limit on- and off-line speech through criminal defamation and other legal action; and the capacity deficit of government institutions mandated to protect freedom of expression.

Malaysia: Repeal Sedition Act in the Court of Appeals
26.05.2023 2 min read

Malaysia: Repeal Sedition Act in the Court of Appeals

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Malaysia: Investigation of women’s march violates freedom of expression
14.03.2023 3 min read

Malaysia: Investigation of women’s march violates freedom of expression

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Malaysia: Ismail Sabri’s government is undermining fundamental freedoms
23.08.2022 19 min read

Malaysia: Ismail Sabri’s government is undermining fundamental freedoms

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Malaysia: Criminalisation of blasphemy – 2022 update
11.08.2022 2 min read

Malaysia: Criminalisation of blasphemy – 2022 update

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Myanmar: End executions and other human rights violations
29.06.2022 2 min read

Myanmar: End executions and other human rights violations

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Blog: End hate speech and discrimination in Malaysia
17.06.2022 6 min read

Blog: End hate speech and discrimination in Malaysia

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Malaysia: End hateful rhetoric against Rohingya refugees
28.04.2022 6 min read

Malaysia: End hateful rhetoric against Rohingya refugees

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Malaysia: Government continues to fall short on its human rights protections
22.03.2022 2 min read

Malaysia: Government continues to fall short on its human rights protections

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Malaysia: High Court lifts ban on ‘Gay is OK! A Christian Perspective’
22.02.2022 2 min read

Malaysia: High Court lifts ban on ‘Gay is OK! A Christian Perspective’

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