“We have noted that out of 17 recommendations made by various nations on freedom of expression, only one was ‘accepted in part’.
“This is compounded by the fact that the only recommendation that was accepted in part was the one to study the possibility of strengthening frameworks related to freedom of expression.
“This negates the need to address the current regressive freedom of expression environment and, in fact, demonstrates the backsliding of the reform promises made by the current Madani government,” it said in a statement today.
CIJ said it is also worrying that the government has highlighted the progress made in upholding freedom of expression by showcasing the review of the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA).
“This is in direct contrast to the reality on the ground, where these laws have been enforced to directly control the right to freedom of expression and speech,” it said.
It pointed to the detention of Borneo Komrad activist Mukmin Nantang under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act after he spoke out about Sabah officials burning Bajau Laut houses during their recent forced eviction.
CIJ said that in 2023 alone, there were 31 investigations under the Sedition Act.
“The PPPA is also being weaponised to appease an array of archaic values and suppress political dissent.
“Salient cases include its usage to confiscate watches from Swatch and the more recent seizure of RM500,000 worth of sex toys.
“However, what is even more concerning is the proposal from government stakeholders to expand the use of this broad, draconian Act to online media,” it said, adding that the government needed to review its recent decisions.
CIJ also called on the government to amend or repeal a number of laws, including the Sedition Act 1948; Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998; the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984; the Peaceful Assembly Act 2019; the Official Secrets Act 1972; Section 114A of the Evidence Act (Amendment) (No. 2) 2012; the Film Censorship Act 2022; and the Penal Code.
It said the government should ratify all outstanding international human rights treaties and their optional protocols, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
“We hope the government can heed these recommendations without further delay to ensure we do not continue to backslide into the old ways of control and become an authoritarian regime,” it said.