Human rights in Malaysia have deteriorated under Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration despite his promises to provide more freedom, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.
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“Malaysia has gone on a binge of prosecutions of critics”, said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch.
The New York-based rights group urged US President Barack Obama to press Najib Razak, the embattled Malaysian prime minister, on the crackdown on free speech in the country when he visits Kuala Lumpur for an worldwide summit next month. “The government is making a mockery of its claims to democracy and fundamental rights by treating criticism as a crime”.
Titled “Creating a Culture of Fear: The Criminalisation of Peaceful Expression in Malaysia”, the 145-page report accused Najib of breaking his promises to repeal repressive and draconian laws and also reminded him of his pledge to “uphold civil liberties” when he took office in April 2009.
It also spotlights what it says are abuses of the legal process, including late night arrests, “unjustifiable” remands, and a pattern of “selective” prosecution.
HRW said it had written to the home minister, Attorney-General, inspector-general of police (IGP) and chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for their views on issues raised in the report, but none responded.
“Malaysia should stop shutting down media and shutting up critics”, he said.
Human Rights Watch sought comment from the Malaysian government about their report, but have yet to receive a response.
One such case is that of law professor Azmi Sharom.
Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah was herself charged with participating in an illegal protest after she spoke at an opposition “Kita Lawan” (We fight) protests in March.
The government has outlawed peaceful protests calling for institutional reforms and for 62-year-old Mr Najib to explain how $US700 million ($966 million) turned up in his private bank accounts in 2013 and what happened to the money.
Human Rights Watch called on the Malaysian government to drop all pending charges in such cases, along with abusive investigations and prosecutions for critical speech and participation in peaceful assemblies.
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The jailing of Mr Anwar for five years is widely seen as part of a political vendetta against the politician who presented the biggest challenge to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the party that has ruled the country for decades.
