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*The Malay translation of this statement is available below, following the English version. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) is concerned by allegations that a few Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Dengkil students were barred from leaving campus after calling out their peers who paraded in Ku Klux Klan (KKK) costumes. Universities must be spaces where students are encouraged to question and challenge, especially on issues as sensitive as discrimination and historical injustice. If students are punished for doing exactly that, it not only betrays academic freedom but also stifles the very “critical thinking and civic awareness” that the university intends to instil. Such actions risk creating a chilling effect — signalling to students that speaking out against problematic acts or dominant narratives may come at the cost of personal liberty and safety. The university must also clarify whether it is investigating the threatening messages allegedly received by these students from their peers. Institutions must protect, not punish, students who engage in peaceful dissent — especially when that dissent contributes meaningfully to public discourse on human rights. SUARAM calls on the Ministry of Higher Education to swiftly conduct a transparent investigation into the allegations of punitive action against the students who spoke out. We also urge the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) to independently look into the alleged incident for any violations of students’ rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and freedom of movement. In Solidarity, Sevan Doraisamy Executive Director of SUARAM ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUARAM: SIASAT TINDAKAN TERHADAP PELAJAR UITM DENGKIL YANG BERSUARA MENGENAI PERARAKAN KKK Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) memandang serius dakwaan bahawa beberapa pelajar Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Dengkil telah dihalang daripada meninggalkan kampus selepas menegur rakan-rakan mereka yang berarak dengan memakai kostum Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Universiti seharusnya menjadi ruang yang menggalakkan pelajar untuk bertanya dan berbahas, terutamanya dalam isu-isu sensitif seperti diskriminasi dan ketidakadilan silam. Namun, jika pelajar dihukum kerana melakukan perkara tersebut, ia bukan sahaja mencabuli kebebasan akademik, malah menyekat usaha untuk memupuk “pemikiran kritikal dan kesedaran sivik” yang menjadi matlamat pendidikan tinggi. Tindakan sebegini berisiko mencetus kesan yang menggerunkan — ini sepertinya memberi isyarat kepada pelajar bahawa bersuara menentang tindakan bermasalah atau naratif dominan boleh menyebabkan kebebasan dan keselamatan peribadi terancam. Pihak universiti juga perlu menjelaskan sama ada siasatan sedang dijalankan berhubung mesej berunsur ugutan yang didakwa diterima oleh pelajar-pelajar tersebut daripada rakan mereka. Institusi seharusnya melindungi, bukan menghukum atau mengintimidasi, pelajar yang terlibat dalam bentuk bantahan secara aman — khususnya apabila bantahan itu menyumbang secara bermakna kepada wacana umum mengenai hak asasi manusia. SUARAM menggesa Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi untuk segera menjalankan siasatan yang telus terhadap dakwaan tindakan bersifat menghukum ke atas pelajar-pelajar yang bersuara. Kami turut menggesa Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) untuk menyiasat secara bebas insiden yang didakwa berlaku bagi mengenal pasti sebarang pencabulan terhadap hak pelajar untuk bersuara, kebebasan akademik dan kebebasan bergerak. Dalam solidariti, Sevan Doraisamy Pengarah Eksekutif Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

In 2024, Malaysia's human rights landscape reflected a government grappling with the balance between reformist aspirations and entrenched systemic challenges. While the unity government continued to highlight human rights as integral to the Malaysia Madani concept and Malaysia’s international commitments, the persistence of laws and practises curtailing freedoms revealed a disconnect between rhetoric and reality. In 2024, the use of security laws  continued to reflect challenges in safeguarding fundamental rights while addressing national security and crime. The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) saw a resurgence in terrorism-related detentions and an 11.5-fold increase in organised crime-related detentions. The use of SOSMA also expanded into commercial crime, continuing the precedent set in 2023 with the arrest of drug syndicate members. Despite multi-stakeholder engagements in 2023, amendments to SOSMA passed in 2024 failed to address key violations of the right to a fair trial, such as the lack of access to bail. Meanwhile, no substantive updates have been made public on the scope, content, or direction of proposed amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act. SUARAM documented 515 arrests under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act in 2024. Systemic gaps in Malaysia's law enforcement and justice system persisted in 2024. SUARAM documented over 190 instances of police misconduct , with half of the cases seeing no action beyond investigations. Chain remand practices escalated, with all 92 individuals rearrested under SOSMA mostly for organised crime. Police shootings surged in 2024, with 35 incidents across 11 states involving 75 individuals — 36 of whom were killed, marking a sharp rise in fatalities and a broader geographic spread compared to 2023. While media-reported custodial deaths  dropped from 14 to 9, longstanding gaps in investigations and communication with families persist. Ongoing court proceedings into the enforced disappearances of Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh highlighted persistent shortcomings in investigative standards and institutional accountability. On developments in freedom of expression , SUARAM documented a five-year high in charges under the Sedition Act (SA), and continued targeting of journalists and activists under the SA and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA). The CMA amendments and other online safety laws passed this year, as well as proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) collectively widened state powers over online content, surveillance, and ideological regulation. The new Film Censorship Board guidelines allow for greater scrutiny and control of creative expression. Restrictions to exercise freedom of assembly  persist. Out of 79 assemblies this year, nearly 40% were investigated - including two rallies that were critical of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership. Investigations rose by nearly 50%, while arrests jumped over 60%, including the remand of minors and stateless youth. Delegitimisation of youth-led protests, especially in Sabah, highlighted entrenched paternalism and systemic disregard for student activism. In the first recorded incident since 2021, police manhandled protesters at the Walk of Justice, with no updates on complaints filed.  In 2024, SUARAM assisted six foreign human rights defenders  in navigating protection and relocation efforts. Three were successfully resettled in third countries, one voluntarily repatriated, one remains in Malaysia pending third-country resettlement, and another was deported after seven months of immigration detention. Institutional oversight and governance  reforms in 2024 saw a mix of progress and stalled efforts. The passing of the Audit Bill, which strengthens the Auditor-General’s independence, marks a significant step forward. However, the delayed tabling of the Ombudsman Bill and the reintroduction of the Parliamentary Services Act highlight the uneven pace of reforms. Controversial prosecutorial decisions, including high-profile acquittals and discharges due to prosecutorial errors, as well as the Pardons Board’s decision to halve Najib Razak’s sentence, further undermined public trust in the justice system. The freedom of religion or belief  landscape saw significant shifts in 2024, as blasphemy laws, far-right mobilisation, and boycotts over perceived religious insults intensified public discourse and deepened societal polarisation. Legislative efforts such as the proposed RUU355 amendments and the Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill sparked concerns over the expansion of Syariah law at the expense of civil liberties. Meanwhile, the GISBH case exposed systemic abuse under religious pretexts, casting a spotlight on the need for stronger protections against exploitation within religious institutions.  Migrants and refugees in Malaysia continued to face systemic exclusion, exploitation, and rights violations in 2024. Despite Malaysia’s Tier 2 ranking in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report, enforcement gaps persist, particularly in job scams and supply chain exploitation. Domestic workers remain excluded from key labour protections that include minimum wage, weekly rest days and overtime compensation. Malaysia deported a domestic worker at the request of the Cambodian government for criticising its former Prime Minister - the first case of a migrant worker being deported for exercising freedom of expression since 2021.    Systemic issues persist for the Orang Asli  community, particularly regarding land rights and encroachments. Despite legal precedents affirming their customary land rights, communities continue to face displacement, such as in the Nenggiri Dam project, and confront challenges like inadequate compensation and lack of free, prior, and informed consent. While amendments to the Aboriginal Peoples Act (APA) are underway, limited consultation with the Orang Asli raises concerns about the inclusivity and effectiveness of these reforms. Resentencing continued in 2024 following the abolition of the mandatory death penalty , resulting in a sharp drop in the death row population from 1275 to 140 — including a significant reduction in women on death row. The process, however, was rushed and offered limited avenues for applicants to present their full case, while the absence of written judgments left lawyers in the dark about the reasoning behind court decisions. Gaps also persist for juvenile offenders and individuals with mental health conditions, highlighting the need for further legal reform to ensure proportionality and justice. During the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR)  in January 2024, Malaysia received 348 recommendations. Whilst areas such as institutional reform and refugees and asylum seekers saw more progressive acceptance in recommendations, clear regressions were evident in civil and political rights, including right to fair trial, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. The CEDAW  review in May the same year spotlighted critical and longstanding gaps in gender equality, such as delays in the Gender Equality Act, non-retroactivity of recent citizenship amendments, systemic gender bias in Syariah family law, and limited protections for women with intersecting vulnerabilities across education, employment, and healthcare. This report’s special feature spotlights the June 2024 demolition and eviction of the Bajau Laut community in Sabah’s Tun Sakaran Marine Park and follow-up developments, highlighting the complex interplay between national security, ecotourism development, and the Indigenous rights of a seafaring community long present across the waters of Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Solidarity for Orang Asli Rights and Forest Stewardship - Decision on In Situ Visit Delayed A coalition of civil society and environmental organisations stands in unwavering solidarity with Orang Asli Kelaik, following crucial testimony in their customary land rights case at the Kuala Lumpur High Court (March 10–12, 2025). The lawsuit, filed against various companies and government ag encies, exposes serious violations of Indigenous land rights and the destruction of vital ecosystems—carried out without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).   The Kelaik community’s fight for justice is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to uphold Indigenous rights, safeguard Malaysia’s ecological heritage, and prevent the continued erosion of Orang Asli and Asal culture and traditions.   Testimonies Uncover the Cost of Forest Destruction Over three days of hearings, the court heard emotional testimonies relayed by plaintiffs Ahak bin Uda, Anjang bin Uda, and Aziz bin Angah about the destruction of their ancestral land and cultural heritage. Ahak detailed how logging and land transfers—without their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)—have devastated their farms, polluted rivers, and cut off access to traditional roaming areas. Anjang reinforced these claims with population records and customary land maps, while Aziz highlighted the loss of sacred sites and disrupted funeral traditions. Their testimonies, backed by documentation and a 2012 police report, underscore the community’s fight to protect their land and heritage. Their testimonies were backed by expert anthropologist Dr. Kamal Solhaimi bin Fadzil, along with comprehensive cultural and population documentation presented by Abdul Shazni, supported by Amirah Haziqah. Decision on In Situ Visit Delayed The court’s decision was to reject the plaintiffs’ request for an in situ judicial visit to Tanah Adat Kelaik before cross-examination, which would have allowed judges to see firsthand the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of the land—as well as the damage inflicted on the community. However the judge stated that an in situ visit, if necessary, could only take place after the cross-examination.   A Critical Legal Precedent for Indigenous Land Rights The Kelaik case is part of a broader struggle faced by Orang Asli and Orang Asal communities across Malaysia, who continue to suffer land dispossession, environmental destruction, and legal injustices. This case could set a critical precedent for Indigenous land rights and responsible forest stewardship in the country. The next court hearings are scheduled for June 15–16 , August 26–27 , and October 27–29, 2025 . Civil society groups will continue to monitor the proceedings and amplify the voices of the Kelaik community.   Kampung Kelaik Village Secretary Anjang bin Uda said: I’m not sure what the court’s decision will be, but I leave it to them to decide. For now, we can only wait and see. I hope NGOs and supporters will continue to follow the hearings and bear witness to what happens next. Greenpeace Malaysia Public Engagement Campaigner Nur Sakeenah Omar said: Orang Asli are the guardians of the forest. If the government is serious about protecting the forest, they should listen to the Orang Asli, give them the rights to their Tanah Adat, and hold companies to account for them committing deforestation and polluting the land. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) Senior Programme Coordinator Amirah Haziqah said: This struggle began in 2012, with the court process starting in 2021. After years of waiting, the trial is finally set to begin in 2025. Over the past four years, extensive destruction has occurred in the customary land of Kg Kelaik. Despite these challenges, the community remains steadfast in their fight for recognition of their land rights and compensation for the damage caused by the company. Their persistence in seeking justice underscores their unwavering commitment to protecting their heritage and livelihood.   - ENDS -   For media inquiries, please contact: Andre Edward , Greenpeace Malaysia Communications & Engagement Campaigner, andre.edward@greenpeace.org , 014-365 3465   Amirah Haziqah , Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) Senior Programme Coordinator, peoplesbhr@suaram.net , 014-7341914

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) menyambut baik keputusan Jabatan Peguam Negara (AGC) untuk menggugurkan pertuduhan terhadap Fadhil Kasim, seorang aktivis mahasiswa serta koordinator bagi perhimpunan Gempur Rasuah Sabah. Tindakan ini selaras dengan pengumuman Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim dua minggu lalu berkenaan moratorium bagi segala siasatan di bawah Akta Perhimpunan Aman (APA) yang masih berjalan. Namun, pertuduhan terhadap Fadhil pada awalnya tidak patut berlaku. Perdana Menteri dengan jelas menyatakan perhimpunan anti-rasuah yang melibatkan mahasiswa adalah antara siasatan di bawah APA yang perlu dihentikan serta-merta. Di samping menyatakan bahawa Seksyen 11 akan dipinda, Anwar mengakui bahawa syarat meminta keizinan pemilik tempat wujud di dalam beberapa peruntukan APA. Justeru, tujuan moratorium seharusnya mencakupi segala peruntukan yang menyatakan tentang syarat berkenaan. Penggunaan Seksyen 9(5) terhadap Fadhil bercanggah dengan niat moratorium yang bukan sahaja menjadikan syarat berkenaan tidak relevan, malah mengiktiraf hak untuk berhimpun secara aman di ruang awam tidak seharusnya bergantung kepada ‘keizinan’ pihak berkuasa tempatan yang hanya bertindak sebagai penjaga ruang tersebut. Penguatkuasaan selektif di bawah PAA dapat dilihat semasa perhimpunan anti-rasuah di Kuala Lumpur – yang dianjurkan dalam keadaan yang hampir sama, namun tiada sebarang tindakan.  Seperti yang ditegaskan oleh Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang-Undang dan Reformasi Institusi), segala bentuk advokasi aman harus digalakkan bukan disekat. Ini memerlukan prinsip fasilitasi ditegakkan dimana pihak berkuasa tidak memintas kerangka perundangan APA dengan salah guna undang-undang lain bagi mengekang aktivisme aman. Walau bagaimanapun, Azura Nasron (Pengurus Program SUARAM), salah seorang ahli keluarga tahanan SOSMA dan juga saya kini berhadapan dengan pertuduhan di bawah Seksyen 5 Akta Kawasan Larang dan Tempat Larangan – kehadiran kami di Kementerian Dalam Negeri (MOHA) hanyalah untuk fasilitasi serahan memorandum oleh keluarga tahanan SOSMA terhadap isu yang dihadapi oleh tahanan kepada wakil MOHA. Berbeza dengan dakwaan bahawa kami menceroboh kompleks MOHA tanpa 'pas yang sah', kami sebenarnya telah dinafikan untuk masuk walaupun mempunyai janji temu yang telah dijadualkan dan terpaksa menunggu di luar selama 2.5 jam tanpa alasan yang munasabah. Kami telah membuat beberapa permohonan untuk mendapatkan pas masuk, namun semuanya diabaikan. Walaupun pertuduhan ini ditangguhkan buat sementara waktu pada 24 Februari lalu, kewujudannya sahaja sudah mencetuskan kebimbangan terhadap usaha menyekat hak untuk berhimpun secara aman di luar bangunan kerajaan – satu saluran kritikal bagi menyuarakan isu, advokasi dasar, dan ekspresi demokrasi. SUARAM menggesa agar semua pihak berkuasa mematuhi moratorium ini dengan penuh kejujuran dan menghentikan semua siasatan serta pendakwaan yang tidak adil terhadap penganjur perhimpunan. Reformasi PAA mesti dilaksanakan secara menyeluruh dan konsisten, selaras dengan jaminan Perdana Menteri bahawa undang-undang ini akan beralih ke arah fasilitasi, bukannya penindasan.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) welcomes the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to drop charges against student activist and Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally coordinator Fadhil Kasim, a move that aligns with the moratorium on ongoing Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) investigations announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim two weeks ago. However, this charge should never have happened in the first place. The anti-corruption rallies involving university students were explicitly mentioned by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim among the investigations under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) that would be immediately halted due to the moratorium. Furthermore, whilst mentioning that Section 11 will be removed, Anwar also acknowledged that the owner’s permission requirement appears in multiple provisions of the PAA - signalling that the moratorium was thus intended to cover all such provisions. The weaponisation of Section 9(5) against Fadhil over the owner permission requirement contradicts the moratorium’s intent, which was to not only render the said requirement obsolete, but also recognise that the right to peaceful assembly in public spaces should not be contingent on the “permission” of local authorities who are merely stewards of these spaces. The selective enforcement of the PAA is further evident in the fact that the anti-corruption rally in Kuala Lumpur, held under similar circumstances, commendably faced no repercussions. Resounding the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), all forms of peaceful advocacy should be “encouraged, not stifled”. This requires fully upholding the spirit of facilitation, which also means that authorities do not circumvent the PAA’s legal framework by misusing other laws to suppress peaceful activism. Yet, SUARAM Programme Manager Azura Nasron, a family member of a SOSMA detainee and myself are currently facing charges under Section 5 of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act, despite being present at the Home Ministry (MOHA) solely to facilitate the SOSMA detainees’ families handover of a memorandum on issues faced by detainees to MOHA representatives. Contrary to allegations made that we trespassed into the MOHA complex without a ‘valid pass’, we were denied entry despite a scheduled appointment and forced to wait outside for 2.5 hours without justification. We made multiple requests for an entry pass, which were all ignored. Whilst the charges are temporarily postponed as of 24 February, their mere existence sets a concerning precedent for restricting the right to peaceful assembly outside government buildings - a critical avenue for redress on issues faced, policy advocacy and democratic expression. SUARAM urges that all authorities uphold the moratorium in good faith and cease all unjust investigations and prosecutions against assembly organisers. The PAA reforms must be fully and consistently implemented, in line with the Prime Minister’s assurances that the law will shift toward facilitation, not suppression.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) welcomes the Home Ministry’s commitment to reviewing key aspects of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), and the establishment of a Special Committee to refine the proposed amendments. We, however, emphasise that the SOSMA amendments must be tabled in the July parliamentary sitting without postponement. For a balanced and rights-based approach, it is crucial that the Special Committee includes critical non-government stakeholders—such as civil society organisations (CSOs) and criminologists —alongside ministry representatives and law enforcement. Limiting discussions to security agencies alone risks the serious right to fair trial violations enabled by SOSMA being unaddressed. As the Special Committee deliberates on the proposed amendments, the rights of detainees must remain a primary consideration. For the establishment of a special SOSMA court as a critical measure to address case backlogs, for instance, a review of due process safeguards, including evidentiary standards, can be concurrently undertaken to ensure that fair trial rights are strengthened for detainees. SUARAM looks forward to concrete steps from the Home Ministry in ensuring an inclusive, timely and transparent review process of SOSMA, leading to meaningful amendments tabled by the July parliamentary sitting. The government's early efforts in 2023 to consult multisectoral stakeholders about the SOSMA amendments were a crucial step forward - the momentum that was recently regained must now be translated into decisive action.

SUARAM welcomes the Prime Minister’s directive for a review and reassessment of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). However, this step must not delay the long overdue amendments. Comprehensive stakeholder engagements were already conducted by then Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Law and Institutional Reforms Ramkarpal Singh in 2023, with detailed recommendations for amendments submitted to the Home Ministry. What is needed now is not another round of reviews, but swift action to implement these amendments without further delay. Among the amendments that SUARAM hopes to see is the abolition of Section 4(5) on the 28-day pre-charge detention without judicial oversight, as it contravenes the right to fair trial and creates conditions ripe for torture and ill-treatment in custody. We also call for the amendment to Section 13(1) that will grant all detainees the right to apply for bail, similar to provisions on bail in the Criminal Procedure Code - instead of the current provision that limits bail applications to only women, children and the sick or infirm. Limiting the circumstances under which bail can be applied for goes against the presumption of innocence and inflicts severe socioeconomic harm on detainees’ families, often plunging them into financial distress and affecting the wellbeing and education of their children. On this note, the Home Ministry must immediately set a clear timeline for tabling the SOSMA amendments in Parliament and to impose a moratorium on all ongoing and future SOSMA cases until these critical reforms are implemented.

SUARAM mengalu-alukan arahan Perdana Menteri untuk menyemak dan menilai semula Akta Kesalahan Keselamatan (Langkah-Langkah Khas) 2012 (SOSMA). Namun, langkah ini tidak wajar dilengahkan kerana pindaan ini telah lama tertangguh. Pada tahun 2023 lalu, sesi libat urus yang menyeluruh telah pun dijalankan oleh mantan Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang-Undang dan Reformasi Institusi), Ramkarpal Singh dengan cadangan pindaan yang terperinci telah pun dikemukakan kepada Kementerian Dalam Negeri. Apa yang diperlukan kini bukan lagi semakan tambahan, tetapi tindakan segera untuk melaksanakan pindaan ini tanpa sebarang kelewatan.   Antara pindaan yang ingin disaksikan oleh SUARAM adalah pemansuhan Seksyen 4(5) mengenai penahanan sebelum pendakwaan selama 28 hari tanpa pengawasan kehakiman, kerana ia bercanggah dengan hak kepada perbicaraan yang adil serta membuka ruang kepada penyeksaan dan layanan buruk dalam tahanan. Kami juga menggesa pindaan terhadap Seksyen 13(1) supaya semua tahanan diberikan hak untuk memohon jaminan, selaras dengan peruntukan jaminan dalam Kanun Tatacara Jenayah – berbanding peruntukan sedia ada yang hanya membenarkan permohonan jaminan bagi wanita, kanak-kanak, serta mereka yang sakit atau uzur. Sekatan terhadap hak untuk memohon jaminan ini bercanggah dengan prinsip anggapan tidak bersalah dan memberi kesan sosioekonomi yang teruk kepada keluarga tahanan, dimana ramai dalam kalangan mereka terjerumus ke dalam kesulitan kewangan serta menjejaskan kebajikan dan pendidikan anak-anak mereka.   Sehubungan itu, Kementerian Dalam Negeri mesti segera menetapkan garis masa yang jelas untuk membentangkan pindaan SOSMA di Parlimen serta melaksanakan moratorium ke atas semua kes SOSMA yang sedang berjalan dan akan datang sehingga reformasi kritikal ini dilaksanakan.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) strongly condemns the Prison Department’s obstruction into the custodial death of Gan Chin Eng and the alleged assault of detainees at Taiping Prison. This blatant interference undermines not only SUHAKAM’s statutory role but also Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring accountability within places of detention. The Prisons Department’s retraction of its initial approval for SUHAKAM’s investigation, despite the Commission’s legal mandate under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, is an alarming abuse of authority. Claims that the inquiry must wait due to an ongoing police investigation are unfounded, as Sections 12 (2) and (3) of the said Act clarify that SUHAKAM’s investigations on human rights violations can be carried out unless the matter is pending in court. If ‘due process’ is (to be) followed as stated by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution two days ago, then SUHAKAM’s statutory powers that are so explicitly outlined in Malaysian law should not be contravened. Saifuddin’s justification of providing cooperation in an ‘orderly and phased’ manner is both untenable and alarming when faced with SUHAKAM’s independent mandate. In cases of custodial deaths and alleged abuse by state agents, where transparent and timely investigations are essential, SUHAKAM’s independent mandate to conduct investigations without obstruction is critical to ensuring that justice is not denied to victims and their families. Allowing state authorities to dictate when and how an independent human rights body can perform its duties sets a dangerous precedent, undermining the very purpose of independent oversight. SUARAM calls on the Home Ministry to immediately ensure SUHAKAM’s unrestricted access to Taiping Prison to conduct its investigations. The Home Ministry must also, without delay, allow the Commission to visit SOSMA detainees in Sungai Buloh Prison, following allegations of torture and ill-treatment in custody from their family members, with several police reports already lodged.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) welcomes the government’s proposal to remove Section 11 of the Peaceful Assembly Act. Removal of the requirement for assembly organisers to obtain approval from venue owners eliminates a significant bureaucratic barrier that has long allowed authorities to exercise discretionary power to grant or deny permission for assemblies to be held. For assemblies held in public spaces, this proposed amendment not only rightly acknowledges that these spaces belong the public, but also strengthens the police’s role in facilitating, rather than restricting, assemblies. The immediate moratorium on all ongoing investigations under Section 11 of the Act is also a commendable move forward. Post-assembly investigations have long been one of the most prevalent intimidation tactics used by authorities against organisers and participants, even when advance notice is provided. SUARAM hopes that this moratorium will serve as a catalyst for broader structural reforms to eliminate such repressive practices entirely and foster an environment where the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected. While the removal of Section 11 is a necessary step, further reforms to the police’s approach to peaceful assemblies are crucial to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully protected. The five-day notification requirement must not be rigidly applied, particularly in cases of spontaneous assemblies responding to urgent developments. International human rights standards recognise that requiring advance notification for all assemblies can unduly restrict fundamental freedoms. SUARAM urges the government to introduce clear exemptions for spontaneous assemblies to ensure that this requirement does not obstruct assemblies that arise in response to pressing issues. At the same time, the notification process must be improved to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic barriers for organisers. In past assemblies such as last year’s Women’s March, notices given in-person by organisers were not accepted by the police on the basis of technicalities such as the non-completion of all questions on the form. SUARAM calls for a review of the current notification form and procedures to ensure that only essential information required for the police to facilitate assemblies is requested, preventing unnecessary administrative hurdles that undermine the right to peaceful assembly. SUARAM also urges the government to make the notification form available online and allow digital submissions to reduce logistical barriers for organisers.

This is the second time under the Madani government that family members of SOSMA detainees have resorted to a hunger strike outside the same prison (i.e,, Sungai Buloh prison) to demand the fundamental right to fair trial. Instead of responding with accountability, the government has hindered their right to peaceful assembly under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, deploying barbed wire barricades thus forcing these families to camp right by the roadside. This is bullying and an outright abuse of power. The families are not criminals. They are demanding what the government itself once promised: the long-overdue amendments to SOSMA. Despite engagements done with NGOs and family members of SOSMA detainees dating back two years and recommendations submitted, there has been no progress. Instead, the Madani government has reverted to the same old narrative of ‘relevance’ for SOSMA’s draconian provisions, ignoring the very reforms that many who are currently in government once championed. The government must stop hiding behind empty promises. The Home Minister and relevant policymakers must meet these families immediately and receive their memorandum. Beyond immediate engagement, the Madani government must impose without delay a moratorium on the use of SOSMA. The long-delayed SOSMA amendments, including that on bail, must also be tabled in Parliament without further excuses.

Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH) dan Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) mengecam kenyataan Ketua Polis Dang Wangi, yang memberi amaran kepada orang ramai agar tidak menyertai Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah anjuran Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah, yang dijadual pada 25 Januari 2025 ini. Kami mengingatkan Ketua Polis Dang Wangi bahawa Perlembagaan Persekutuan adalah undang-undang tertinggi negara serta hak berhimpun dan bersuara adalah hak yang dijamin oleh Perlembagaan.  Taktik menggunakan peruntukan-peruntukan kecil seperti tidak cukup pemakluman adalah taktik lapuk yang digunakan untuk mendekam suara rakyat daripada terus dilaungkan. Apatah lagi isu rasuah ini adalah isu besar yang masih membarah dalam negara.  Tidak waras bagi pihak berkuasa yang cuba untuk menghalang himpunan aman ini dijalankan. Apakah sebenarnya yang ditakuti oleh penguasa? Adakah Ketua Polis Dang Wangi keluarkan kenyataan atas desakan mana-mana individu atau menteri dalam kerajaan atau beliau sendiri, kerana kenyataan itu membelakangkan undang-undang yang memberikan kuasa dan hak untuk rakyat mengunakan saluran itu untuk himpunan aman? Lebih baik pihak berkuasa memastikan agar perhimpunan ini berlangsung dengan aman dan tertib daripada berterusan menggunakan undang-undang untuk menakutkan rakyat berhimpun.  Bersih dan Suaram menyatakan solidariti kepada rakan-rakan daripada Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah yang akan turun berhimpun secara aman dalam Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah kelak. Ini adalah manifestasi suara rakyat yang tidak lagi ingin isu-isu rasuah membelenggu negara, apatah lagi melibatkan pemimpin-pemimpin politik daripada ceruk dan celah mana pun.  Kami juga ingin menyarankan para menteri yang berada di tampuk kuasa agar bersama nyatakan solidariti bersama himpunan ini. Rakyat berhak berhimpun secara aman walaupun kalian tidak suka. Apatah lagi isu ini adalah isu yang kalian perjuangkan selama ini.  Rakyat akan terus bersuara. Jika dihalang, hanya satu kata; Lawan!  Kenyataan Bersama:  Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH)  Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)