CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK IN is a global movement of more than 7 million people who campaign for a world where CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: human rights are enjoyed by all. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights UNDER THREAT IN MALAYSIA enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Freedom of expression is under attack in Malaysia. Civil society activists, academics, opposition politicians, journalists, social media users and even cartoonists have been and other international human rights standards. targeted by repressive laws used to stife .

In recent years, one of the laws most We are independent of any government, political frequently used to restrict freedom 2015 ALONE of expression is the Act of ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded 1948. The use of the law – increasingly against individuals simply expressing INSTANCES OF THE mainly by our membership and public donations. political, religious and other views – is leading many people to exercise self- , with a chilling effect on freedom of expression in the country. WAS USED TO , INVESTIGATE OR CHARGE INDIVIDUALS Among those who have been targeted by the government include: 1 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 31 Dec • Political cartoonist Zunar is on trial for nine counts of sedition over tweets criticizing a Federal Court Malaysian Prime Minister decision; publicly committed in 2012 to repeal Despite their • Law professor Azmi Sharom, the Sedition Act, which had been little charged with sedition for offering used before 2009. However, he has commitment to repeal his legal opinion on measures failed to deliver on this commitment and taken during a constitutional crisis; has instead sought to strengthen this the Sedition Act, the repressive law. • Student activist Khalid Ismath government presented is on trial for three counts of The number of individuals arrested and an amendment to the law sedition for social media comments charged with sedition has also increased All rights reserved. This publication is copyright, but may be reproduced Cover illustration: © Colin Foo allegedly offensive to the Johor dramatically since 2013. Between 2009 by any method without fee for advocacy, campaigning and teaching in April 2015, which was State royal family; and 2012, there were around 30 cases purposes, but not for resale. of individuals charged under the Sedition passed by Parliament • Journalist Susan Loone, arrested The copyright holders request that all such use be registered with Act. Since 2013, when general elections for reporting the words of a days later, strengthening them for impact assessment purposes. For copying in any other were last held, in which the government politician that were allegedly circumstances, or for reuse in other publications, or for translation seditious; lost the popular vote but still returned the scope of the Act or adaptation, prior written permission must be obtained from the to power, there have been 176 Sedition and increasing the publishers, and a fee may be payable. To request permission, or for any • Human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen, Cases involving various individuals, other inquiries, please contact [email protected] on trial for a sedition charge for usually for comments or acts deemed punishments that could his tweets critical of a government critical of the government. © Amnesty International 2016 religious agency; and be imposed under it. In 2015 alone, between 1 January and • Opposition politician Rafzi Ramli 31 December there were at least 91 First published in 2016 Index: ASA 28/3147/2016 is on trial for sedition charges instances of the Sedition Act being used by Amnesty International Ltd Original language: English for several different criticisms of to arrest, investigate or charge individuals, Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Printed by Amnesty International, the government’s political and sometimes more than once. That is Street, London WC1X 0DW, UK International Secretariat, UK economic policies. nearly fve times as many as during the frst 50 years of the Act’s existence. amnesty.org

2 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK IN MALAYSIA 3 ZUNAR AZMI SHAROM THE CARTOONIST ZUNAR IS FACING A RECORDTHE PROFESSOR

Zulkifee Anwar Ulhaque, known as Azmi Sharom, a law professor from “Zunar”, is a political cartoonist whose COUNTS OFthe , was charged CHARGED WITH art has long been featured in online with sedition after comments he made news portal .com. Zunar regarding a political crisis in Malaysia’s has a gift for capturing current events in state in August 2014, citing the SEDITION a single humorous image. He has used 2009 constitutional crisis in Perak State. his cartoons to expose corruption and FOR COMMENTS HE MADE SEDITIONThe 2009 crisis involved the Perak State the abuse of power. As Zunar is fond of government losing a majority in the state REGARDING A POLITICAL CRISIS saying, “Neutrality is a form of escapism. legislative assembly after three legislators Staying silent is not an option. Even my IN MALAYSIA’S SELANGOR STATE ONE FOR EACHswitched sides. A new government was pen has a stand!” IN AUGUST 2014 formed after the assemblypersons visited Since 2009, Zunar’s cartoon books have TWEET HE MADEthe Perak Sultan, who then dismissed often been confscated or banned from the former Chief Minister of the state. sale, his offce and printers raided, and Asked by an online news portal in his assistants harassed. © Amnesty International August 2014 whether the political crisis Now, Zunar is facing a record nine in Selangor state could be solved in a counts of sedition, one for each tweet he similar manner, Azmi Sharom was of When Zunar was charged on 3 April If convicted, Zunar faces a long-term Furthermore, Azmi is a long-time made following a Federal Court ruling the opinion that the method chosen 2015 the prosecutor asked that he prison sentence for his peaceful criticism columnist with an English-language on 10 February 2015, which upheld to resolve the Perak crisis was “legally post bail of RM5,000 (USD1,130) for in the exercise of his right to freedom newspaper where he often voices his the conviction and fve-year prison wrong” and should not be repeated. each charge. The magistrate set his of expression. The persecution Zunar is opinion on social, legal and political sentence of former opposition leader “The best thing [is] to do it as legally and bail at a reduced amount of RM22,500 facing has drawn international attention matters. Although he continues to write, for sodomy. That case transparently as possible.” (USD5,100) in total which was still a and Zunar was selected as a case for if he is convicted the space for writers is widely seen by human rights groups considerable and burdensome amount. Amnesty International’s Write for Rights On 2 September 2014, Azmi was and the media could be squeezed as politically motivated and Amnesty His trial is ongoing. campaign in 2015. charged under Section 4(1)(b) and even further. International considers Anwar Ibrahim to Section 4(1)(c) of the . be a prisoner of conscience. Azmi Sharom brought a legal challenge He pleaded not guilty and posted bail of to the constitutionality of the Sedition The Inspector-General of Police Khalid RM5,000 (USD1,130): “I was shocked Act in October 2014 , but his Abu Bakar took to Twitter following the to learn that I am being charged under ZUNAR IS FACING A RECORD was rejected by the Federal Court on court judgment warning that action the Sedition Act because of comments 6 October 2015. His trial resumed on would ensue if anyone criticized the I made on the Perak crisis of 2009. My 15 December 2015 and is currently judiciary over the Anwar Ibrahim ruling. statements were based on established ongoing. case law and democratic principles. Zunar was not the only one who took to COUNTS OF They were given in my capacity as a law © The Rocket / DAP publication. social media or other forums to criticize lecturer of 24 years standing," the judgment. Several people affliated with the political opposition have been Azmi is the frst academic to be charged charged with sedition for the comments with sedition in Malaysia. Given the “This charge is a blow to academic freedom they made in the weeks following the SEDITION broad scope of the Sedition Act, in judgment, with some of these charges particular its coverage of judicial, political and the freedom of expression. I will most having been brought as recently as and social matters, its use by the November 2015. authorities could have a chilling effect on defnitely fght this charge. I hope that ONE FOR EACH academic freedom of expression and the However, Zunar’s nine counts of sedition ability of scholars to contribute to public reason will prevail.” for his nine tweets place him far ahead debate in Malaysia. of anyone else currently charged with TWEET HE MADE sedition in Malaysia.

4 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK IN MALAYSIA 5 KHALID ISMATH SUSAN LOONE THE STUDENT THE JOURNALIST NEWS ACTIVIST ARRESTED ALLEGEDLY On 4 September 2014, police arrested OVER AN INTERVIEW DEFAMING Susan Loone, a journalist with online THE POLICE Khalid Ismath is a 25-year-old student news portal Malaysiakini.com, for SHE DID WITH PENANG STATE activist who created the frst speakers’ investigation under Section 4(1)(c) of EXECUTIVE COUNCILOR WHILE HE corner at Mara University of Technology the Sedition Act for an interview she did PHEE BOONE POH (UiTM) and was involved in the with Penang State executive councilor WAS UNDER POLICE CUSTODY. Occupy Dataran movement calling Phee Boone Poh while he was in police for free education and the abolition of custody. the National Higher Education Fund Susan Loone was the frst reporter to (PTPTN). be arrested under the Sedition Act. According to Susan Loone, her article It is an indication of the chilling effect of On 13 October 2015, Khalid Ismath had Other journalists and publishers have had reportedly angered the Inspector- the Sedition Act that Susan Loone feels 14 charges laid against him for posting subsequently been arrested for articles General of Police and the police force that her fellow journalists have censored comments on Facebook that were alleged to be seditious. because it cast them in a bad light. themselves as a result of her arrest. “My allegedly offensive to the royalty of the © Khalid Ismath Phee Boone Poh was detained by the She was told by the police that her reporter friends get a bit fearful that they State of Johor and the Malaysian Police. article was objectionable because it was will suffer the same thing.” He was rearrested the same day under During his detention Amnesty police for 24 hours because of his The posts are an alleged abuse of power chairmanship of the state Voluntary widely accessible online. The police the Sedition Act for another Facebook International considered him a prisoner Personally, she is undeterred. allegedly said to her that “if the story and were published on a solidarity page comment made on the same solidarity of conscience. Patrol Unit (PPS, Pasukan Peronda was published in local papers it doesn’t for Kamal Hisham Jaafar, a former legal page for Kamal Hisham Jaafar. He was Sukarela), often involved in traffc control The charges against Khalid Ismath came matter as only local people will read it.” adviser to the Johor Royal family, who detained for another four days before and safety, which had been declared one week after the Malaysian Federal is currently in detention on charges of being formally charged on 13 October, illegal by the police as it was not Following her arrest, Susan Loone was Court’s ruling that the Sedition Act was corruption. and released on bail. registered with the Registrar of Societies. held for close to nine hours during which constitutional following Azmi Sharom’s she was questioned. To her surprise, Khalid Ismath was charged with 11 challenge. Phee Boone Poh and 155 PPS members counts under Section 233 of the were arrested after taking part in an during her questioning, she was asked Communications and Multimedia Act independence day parade on 31 August her opinion of the political opposition. 1998 and three counts under Section 2014. The police informed Phee Boone She protested that she had: “No opinion, 4 (1) of the Sedition Act at the Johor Poh that he was being investigated just the facts. It’s not important what I Bahru Sessions Court, in Johor state. under Section 43 of the Societies Act think. Just the facts.” Khalid Ismath was denied bail as the 1966, which involves operating a secret She was released on RM2,000 prosecution argued that he may abscond society. (USD450) bail, but the case has been during trial. In Susan Loone’s interview with Phee left unresolved as the authorities have A member of the Socialist Party of Boone Poh. he described how he was so far not fled charges against Loone, Malaysia (PSM), Khalid Ismath had frst questioned for four hours and “treated nor have they told her that she has been been detained on 7 October at the Johor CHARGES AGAINST like a criminal”. The interview led cleared. However, her article has had HIM FOR POSTING negative consequences for her work. Bahru Selatan police station under the COMMENTS ON right-wing pressure group and 1998 Communications and Multimedia FACEBOOK ALLEGEDLY 13 other NGOs to lodge ten reports to Susan Loone’s news portal, Malaysiakini, Act for posts on Kamal Hisham Jaafar’s OFFENSIVE the police against Susan Loone and TO THE ROYALTY has been refused a print publishing Facebook solidarity page. Following two Malaysiakini for allegedly defaming the permit by the Home Ministry, with the OF THE STATE OF © Malaysiakini days in police detention, during which JOHOR AND THE police. Ministry citing her article as one reason. time his phone and personal computer MALAYSIAN had been confscated, Khalid Ismath POLICE was released on 9 October. [The Sedition Act is] “inhuman, oppressive “If writing the truth, asking questions, taking a minister and must be opposed.” to task or making a powerful fgure accountable are seditious, then let us all be seditious!”

6 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK IN MALAYSIA 7 RAFIZI RAMLI ERIC PAULSEN THE POLITICIAN THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER Rafzi Ramli, secretary-general of the People’s Justice Party (PKR, Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and Member of Eric Paulsen is the executive director and Parliament, is currently facing fve co-founder of Lawyers for Liberty. As a different sedition investigations alongside leading human rights lawyer, Eric Paulsen other criminal charges for his political campaigns actively for the abolition of activities. the Sedition Act in the Abolish Sedition Act Movement (GHAH, Gerakan Hapus Rafzi is best known for exposing fnancial Akta Hasutan), and also provides legal scandals involving members of the representation for several individuals government or those politically connected © Malaysiakini- Lim Huey Teng accused of sedition. to them. He has also been an outspoken critic of government policy, particularly on On 5 February 2015, Eric Paulsen was Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Moreover, Under Article 48(1)(e) of economic matters. charged with sedition for a tweet on 12 © Eric Paulsen Abu Bakar then tweeted that Rafzi would the Federal he could be January criticizing the Malaysian Islamic The charges Rafzi faces under the be investigated under the Sedition Act, disqualifed from Parliament if sentenced Development Department (JAKIM), which Sedition Act, as well as other laws, along with cartoonist Zunar and another to imprisonment for a term of one year is part of the Prime Minister’s Department, demonstrate how repressive laws of opposition politician. The IGP claimed and more, or to a fne of not less than for “promoting extremism” via its offcial “The Sedition Act creates an extremely harmful, chilling effect this kind are used to curb freedom of that the tweet was seditious in trying to RM2,000 (USD450). sermons. expression and harass critics of the make the public believe that the judges whereby opposition, dissidents and activists don’t know when As several vocal opposition government. received payment. In response to Eric Paulsen’s tweet, he parliamentarians face investigations and and where they can be arrested and charged for sedition. received death threats and accusations In May 2014, Rafzi was investigated A month later, on 27 March 2015, possible prosecutions for sedition, there through his WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter There’s no limitation. They could pick you up. You could be for sedition over a book he authored police arrested Rafzi under the Sedition is concern among them that a conviction accounts and phone calls claiming that he entitled “Reforms 2.0: The Facts of Anwar Act, for issuing a circular that called on for sedition could thin their ranks in future prosecuted for something you said months or years ago. had insulted Islam. However, he stressed Ibrahim's Case” ( 2.0: Fakta supporters to attend the Kita Lawan (We elections. that, "I have never referred to the religion kes Anwar Ibrahim), which discussed the Fight) rally to demand the release of of Islam in my tweet, I only criticised Jakim Even if the charges are baseless you still need to go through prosecution and trial of Anwar Ibrahim for opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. He was as an agency under the Prime Minister's sodomy. later released on bail. arrest, remand, charge, trial, appeal and eventually jail. The ARRESTED ON 27 MARCH 2015 Department." Prior to this, Rafzi had been investigated Another arrest under the Sedition Act threshold for conviction is incredibly low. It’s an archaic law A month later on 22 March, Eric Paulsen under the Sedition Act in March 2014 for followed on 2 May 2015 for his participation was arrested again for sedition for tweets based on protection of Queen and country.” remarks against right-wing groups. This in a 1 May peaceful critical of the ALLEGEDLY FOR ARRESTEDregarding ON the 2 passageMAY 2015 of an amendment sedition investigation was later dropped Goods and Services Tax (GST). ISSUING A LETTER THAT CALLED ON in the Kelantan state legislature promoting and he was instead charged under Rafzi Ramli has yet to be charged in any SUPPORTERS TO FOR HISthe PARTICIPATIONuse of corporal and IN A Section 504 of the , which of these sedition cases, although he has ATTEND THE under Sharia law. is the “intentional insult with intent to been charged with offences under other #KITALAWAN provoke a breach of the peace”. ARRESTED ON 27 MARCH 2015 When interviewed by a news portal about laws as a result of his whistleblowing (WE FIGHT) RALLY 1ST OF MAY Paulsen’s arrest, the Inspector-General On 25 July 2014, Rafzi was investigated activities, related to allegations of PEACEFUL PROTEST of Police (IGP) reportedly cautioned Eric again for sedition over revealing the corruption by the authorities or the ALLEGEDLY FOR ARRESTED ON 2 MAY 2015 CRITICALPaulsen OF THEto “watch GOODS his habit and mouth” contents of a minister’s letter to Bank misuse of publicISSUING funds. A LETTER CHARGED WITH SEDITION FOR AND SERVICESwhen commenting TAX (GST) on sensitive issues such Rakyat. The letter purportedly requested THAT CALLED ON However, even SUPPORTERSif these numerous TO cases FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN A as religion. preferential treatment for a politically- do not result in chargesATTEND being THE brought, A TWEET connected individual. In both cases the IGP took an active role their combined #KITALAWANeffect constitutes a form (WE FIGHT) RALLY 1ST in responding on Twitter and initiating CRITICIZING THE MALAYSIAN Following the controversial Federal Court of intimidation and harassment. He OF MAY PEACEFUL PROTEST investigation on Paulsen. Social media in ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT decision to uphold the conviction of could face, for the frst offence, up to Malaysia thus fnds itself policed by the DEPARTMENT (JAKIM) FOR then-opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim three years imprisonment and/or a fne CRITICAL OF THE GOODS highest levels. Activists and other well- for sodomy, Rafzi sent out a tweet on 10 not exceeding RM5,000 (USD1,130), AND SERVICES TAX (GST) “PROMOTING EXTREMISM” known critical voices appear at particular February 2015 showing a judge in a black and for subsequent offences, fve years risk of being targeted for police action. The robe with dollar signs on his wig. The imprisonment. impact on individuals is protracted as the full process of trial, appeal and counter-appeal can easily take up to fve years to resolve.

8 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK IN MALAYSIA 9 Originally enacted as the Sedition Ordinance 1948 by British colonial authorities, the law was targeted at anti-colonial activists and aimed to restrict their activities against the British government. Following independence, the Ordinance was reformulated into an Act.

Under Article (3) (1) “Sedition” itself is not defned in the Act, instead a “seditious tendency” is deemed to be a “tendency” to: (a) “bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against any Ruler or against any Government”; (b) “to excite the subjects of any Ruler or the inhabitants of any territory governed by any Government to to procure in the territory of the Ruler or governed by the Government, the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of any matter as by law established [which also includes secession]; (c) “to bring into hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against the administration of justice in Malaysia or in any State”; THE SEDITION (d) “to raise discontent or disaffection” amongst the population; (e) “to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Malaysia”; (f) “to question any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty or prerogative” related to the as the national language, the special privileges accorded to ethnic and Natives of and (otherwise known as ), and the sovereignty of the Rulers. ACT 1948 Under section 4(1) any person who (a) does or to do, or makes any preparation to do, or conspires with any person to do, any act which has or which would, if done, have a seditious tendency; (b) utters any seditious words; (c) prints, publishes, sells, offers for sale, distributes or reproduces any seditious publication; AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS LONG EXPRESSED or (d) imports any seditious publication, shall be guilty of an offence

CONCERNS ABOUT MALAYSIA’S SEDITION ACT, Those found guilty could face, for the frst offence, up to three years imprisonment and/ or a fne not exceeding RM5,000 (USD1,130), and for subsequent offences, fve years WHICH IS BEING USED TO CRIMINALIZE OPPOSITION imprisonment. The right to freedom of opinion and expression is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This right includes the “freedom to hold opinions without AND THE EXPRESSION OF VIEWS THAT interference” and to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. ARE CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. Although international human rights law does permit certain restrictions on freedom of expression, these restrictions must meet a strict three-part test: they must be provided by law; be limited to specifed purposes such as national security, public order or respect of the rights or reputation of others; and be necessary and proportionate to the achievement of one of those permissible purposes. Any restrictions imposed which do not meet all elements of this “three-part test” constitute violations of the right. The restrictions on the right to freedom of expression imposed in Malaysia’s Sedition Act are phrased in an excessively broad and vague manner, potentially resulting in both an overreach of the law and potential for abusive application of the law. In fact, exciting “disaffection against any Ruler or against any Government”, in itself should not be criminalized at all. Malaysia’s Sedition Act does not comply with international human rights law and standards, and additionally, violates the rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed in Malaysia’s Constitution.

10 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK IN MALAYSIA 11 THE SEDITION ACT AMENDMENTS 2015

Prime Minister Najib Razak had originally of imprisonment. Previously, judges had undertaken to abolish the Sedition Act and discretion, in the case of a frst offence, set in motion a process under the National to impose a sentence of up to three years' Unity Consultative Council to replace it with imprisonment and/or a fne, and in the a National Unity Bill that, at least in its draft case of a subsequent offence, a sentence form, did away with most of the problematic of up to fve years. Under the law as provisions of the Sedition Act. amended, judges do not have discretion to impose a fne for a frst offence, or to However, this policy was subsequently impose a sentence below three years; they reversed and a decision made to preserve are required to impose a prison sentence and strengthen the Sedition Act. In April of between three and seven years. 2015, an amendment to the Sedition Act was tabled and rushed through Parliament The amendment brings electronic media with less than a day of debate. and sharing on social media under the Sedition Act. This refects the high number The amendment clearly reacts to current of social media users falling foul of the forms of dissent, particularly critical postings police over their activities on Twitter and on social media such as Twitter and Facebook and the government’s relative Facebook. lack of control over these media. Despite removing criticism of government Furthermore, the amendment gives the and judiciary from the defnition of sedition, government power to prohibit publications the amendment added religion to the list, and to prevent any person making or which already included the rulers, race, circulating such a publication from secession, special rights of Bumiputera, accessing any electronic device. and the status of the national language. The UN High Commissioner for Human This means that wide areas of government Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, warned policy and the substance of judicial at the time the amendment was passed decisions pertaining to the above matters, that the new provisions would seriously if criticized, can give rise to sedition undermine freedom of expression and charges. Government policy affecting opinion in Malaysia. issues of race, religion, and secession have attracted much controversy and debate Despite being passed through Parliament from members of the public, including, in April 2015 the amendment still has not but not limited to, politicians and activists. entered into force as of January 2016. Thus the existing Sedition Act is still The amendment also set higher penalties, being used. with judges required to impose a sentence

The amendment clearly reacts to current forms of dissent, particularly critical postings on social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

12 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia CRITICAL CRACKDOWN: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK IN MALAYSIA 13 RECOMMENDATIONS

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGES THE MALAYSIAN AUTHORITIES TO IT IS BETTER IMMEDIATELY TAKE STEPS TOWARDS: • Repealing the 1948 Sedition Act; TO LIGHT A CANDLE • Ensuring that convictions under the Act are quashed, and immediately and unconditionally release all those who are THAN TO CURSE imprisoned or detained under the Act solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression; dropping charges THE DARKNESS under the Act against individuals who are facing trial; furthermore, pending the repeal of the Sedition Act, ensuring that no one further is arrested, investigated, charged or imprisoned under its provisions; CONTACT US JOIN THE CONVERSATION

• Reviewing and amending all other laws [email protected] www.facebook.com/AmnestyGlobal which restrict the right to freedom of expression to ensure that they are in strict +44 (0)20 7413 5500 @AmnestyOnline compliance with international human rights law and standards; and

• Ratify and Implement in law, policy and practice the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at the earliest opportunity.

14 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia Index: ASA 28/3147/2016 January 2016 amnesty.org