The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia calls for the urgent reinstatement of the moratorium on the Sedition Act, its immediate repeal and a stronger visible commitment by the Pakatan Harapan government to the reform agenda upon which they were elected. We are appalled to hear that Sevan Doraisamy, executive director of human rights organization Suaram, is among the first to be called in for questioning once the moratorium has been lifted.
Quoted in an article in a local news outlet, Sevan has said that he is most likely being questioned in relation to a solidarity event organized to protest against the investigation of human rights lawyer and activist Fadiah Nadwa Fikri. Fadiah has also been called in for questioning. Police, however, have not informed Sevan of the reason for the investigation.
As CIJ has repeatedly said, the Sedition Act is a colonial-era law which needs to be repealed. It was designed to prevent legitimate discussion about national institutions, and these selective investigations illustrate the dangers that it poses. We call on the Pakatan Harapan government to show that the reform agenda is not dying, but that they remain committed to governance based on freedom of expression, freedom of information and respect for universal human rights.
Released by Sonia Randhawa, Director.
For more information, please contact cijmalaysia@gmail.com.
