Joint Letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia

Date: 26 June 2024

Stop The Move Towards Silencing the People of Malaysia

Dear Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,

We, the undersigned organisations and individuals, are gravely concerned with the recent report of the Cabinet’s approval of a licensing regime for social media. This move by the Madani administration increases censorship of freedom of expression—as enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—and is steering Malaysia toward authoritarianism.

The administration and the Communications Ministry have a track record of silencing dissent through punitive enforcement. Requiring online expression to align solely with the government’s agenda stifles public discourse, political critique, creativity, and the right to information—damaging democracy and civic participation.

This proposal violates commitments made by Pakatan Harapan during GE15 and to the international community. Instead of reform, your administration has expanded censorship based on vague definitions of “sensitive content,” unaligned with international human rights standards.

Examples of Backtracking on Commitments

• Proposed amendments to expand powers under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998
• Drafting of the Online Safety Bill to suppress online content
• Proposed amendments to extend the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 to online media
• Expanded censorship by the Home Ministry under Film Censorship Guidelines
• Passage of a Cyber Security Bill increasing state control over computer activities
• Surge in takedown requests from the government to platforms:
  • 1,892 takedown requests reported by TikTok (2H 2023)
  • 4,700+ content items flagged by MCMC to Meta, including criticisms of the government

These developments raise questions about the standards being applied in online content regulation. While online harm must be addressed, regulatory efforts should not trample fundamental rights.

Our Demands

1. Establish a Multistakeholder Social Media Council (SMC) – A self-regulatory, inclusive body involving civil society, tech platforms, experts, and industry stakeholders to:
   • Guide content moderation
   • Review takedown decisions
   • Ensure platforms follow international freedom of expression standards
   • Encourage voluntary compliance via public commitments
2. Invest in Media and Digital Literacy – Implement comprehensive programs across all educational levels to equip people with skills to identify and address online harm.
3. Institutionalise Consultation with Civil Society – Ensure inclusive engagement on any legislation or regulation that affects human rights and civil liberties.
4. Rechannel Priorities to Legislative Reform – Establish a transparent democratic space and repeal/ amend the following laws:
   • Film Censorship Act 2002
   • National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) Act 1981
   • Official Secrets Act 1972
   • Peaceful Assembly (Amendment) Act 2019
   • Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984
   • Sedition Act 1948
   • Sections 211, 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998
   • Section 114A of the Evidence Act (Amendment) (No.2) 2012
   • Section 203A, 298A, 500, 504, 505(b) of the Penal Code

   A moratorium on these laws must be established during the reform process.

Any measure adopted must respect the standards of legitimacy, necessity, and proportionality. Laws and policies must serve the public—not political expediency. We urge the government to honour its reform promises and protect freedom of expression.

Thank you.

Endorsed by:

Organisations

• Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
• ADHD Queeple
• Agora Society Malaysia
• AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group)
• Aliran
• Alliance of River Three (ART!)
• All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
• Amnesty International Malaysia (AIM)
• ARTICLE 19
• Association of Women Lawyers (AWL)
• BebasNews
• Bersih
• Beyond Borders Malaysia
• Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
• Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
• EMPOWER
• Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM)
• Family Frontiers
• Freedom Film Network
• Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM)
• Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo
• HAYAT
• Justice for Sisters
• KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Civil Right Committee (KLSCAH CRC)
• Klima Action Malaysia – KAMY
• KL Queer Space
• KRYSS Network
• Kuala Lumpur Reporter
• Lawyer Kamek
• Legal Dignity
• MAJU
• MUDA
• North South Initiative
• Our Journey
• Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
• Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK)
• Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (ROSE)
• Persatuan Penulis Berbilang Bahasa (PEN Malaysia)
• Pertubuhan Advokasi dan Kesejahteraan Pekak Malaysia (DAWN)
• ReformARTsi
• Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM)
• Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia [SABM]
• Saynotopjdlink.org
• Sinar Project
• Sisters In Islam (SIS)
• Society of Entrepreneurial Educational Development
• Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
• Suara Siswa Universiti Malaya
• Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES)
• Undi Sabah
• Women on Web
• Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)

Individuals

• Abdul Rahman Bin Haron
• Ahmad Murad Merican
• Ali bin Alasri
• Anthony Chong, PhD
• Beatrice Leong
• Beverly Joeman
• Bilqis binti Hijjas
• Damien Thanam Divean
• Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
• Dominic Wong
• Dr. Mahyuddin Ahmad Abdul Rahman
• Dr G Manimaran
• Jayanath Appudurai
• Kalidazsan Guroosamy
• Kamalakannan Veerapathran
• Kennedy Michael
• Lainie Yeoh
• Leben Siddarth
• Lee Jing
• Navin Binwan
• Noina Baharuddin
• Rozelina Mahadi
• Sharifah Nur Salina Hussein
• Snow Ng
• Suguna Papachan
• Tan Cher Kian

For further inquiries, please contact Lim Jih-Ming at comms@cijmalaysia.net