The activist group Lawyers for Liberty said the incoming government should instruct the Attorney-General to stop prosecution of all politically-motivated cases and withdraw appeals against similar cases.
LFL executive director Eric Paulsen said the new federal government should keep to promises on reforms and human rights made by Pakatan Harapan in its election manifesto.
“It is inconceivable that oppressive laws should continue to be misused to persecute dissidents, activists and (former) opposition leaders, and we trust that the law will not be abused in the same manner as it was by the previous government,” Paulsen said.
Pakatan Harapan and its Sabah ally, Warisan won a simple parliamentary majority in Wednesday’s general election, ousting the Barisan Nasional after 45 years in power.
Other measures that the incoming government should take include:
* separating the powers of the politically-appointed Attorney-General as the government’s chief lawyer from that of the Public Prosecutor so that prosecutions may be brought without fear of political interference.
* judges to be appointed on seniority, merit and experience, without political interference or influence;
* depoliticise the police force so that the force is not misused as a tool to crack down on political opponents and dissidents;
* end politically-motivated monitoring and arrests must be stopped immediately;
* establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission and the police be made to answer for deaths in custody;
* abolish “oppressive laws” such as the Sedition Act, Prevention of Crime Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, Communications and Multimedia Act, Official Secrets Act, Peaceful Assembly Act, National Security Council Act, Anti-Fake News Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act, and Universities and University Colleges Act.
* abolish the death penalty;
* set up a Law Commission to review all these legislation and others and make appropriate recommendations; and
* review all cases of Malaysian residents who are stateless.