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Civil Society Call For An End To Intimidation And Harassment Tactics Against UMANY And Associated Individuals

December 03, 2020

Civil Society Call For An End To Intimidation And Harassment Tactics Against UMANY And Associated Individuals

We, the undersigned organisations and endorsers, strongly condemn the continued intimidation tactics and acts of harassment being perpetrated by the State and its agencies against Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY) members and student activists linked to the group. We call on the relevant authorities, including Universiti Malaya (UM) and other entities, to stop investigating and questioning these student leaders, and uphold academic freedom and our constitutional right to freedom of expression and free speech.

UMANY is being investigated by both ​UM and the ​police over a ​statement it issued following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s advice that all Members of Parliament should support Budget 2021. Since then, seven members of UMANY, its president and vice-president, as well as two other student leaders, have been called in for questioning. A former UMANY president was also ​detained overnight for recording a police officer attempting to search the house of an UMANY leader, and will be charged tomorrow under Section 188 of the Penal Code. Meanwhile, the Public Service Department (JPA) has asked for show-cause letters from six JPA-sponsored UMANY members over their purported involvement on the matter. UMANY’s statement has since been ​retracted​.

We are disappointed that the State and its agencies, including the police, continues to arbitrarily stifle freedom of speech and expression in Malaysia, a ​rising trend that has become apparent since the change of government earlier this year. We wish to remind the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government that freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed for all Malaysians under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, and should not be disproportionately restricted simply because said speech or expression challenges norms or presents critical or alternative views.

The right to express views and ideas freely, without fear of interference or persecution, is an essential part of democracy. Respectful debates and expressions help us examine and critically challenge conventional wisdoms and promote heterodox views. In doing so, we foster a more informative and critical society, one that is able to articulate their own views and alternative views, safely and openly.

We risk spiralling into an undemocratic state if our government continues to censor and restrict speech and expression without due process and at the expense of fundamental civil liberties of its peoples – as is the case with the UMANY investigations. ​Articulating an academic view based on the Federal Constitution, as was the case in this instance, should not warrant police action. Recording a police search of a student activist’s house also should not result in criminal sanction. The police, despite issuing a ​statement ​to clarify their actions in arresting the student activist in question, have ​failed to justify why ​taking videos or photographs of police investigations could affect the confidentiality of said investigations.

Furthermore, we do not want to foster an environment ​which undermines accountability and good governance and where people are prohibited from questioning or criticising the government over public affairs.

Academic scholarship, on the other hand, cannot flourish in an atmosphere of censorship and disproportionate restriction of speech and expression. An open and robust environment for sharing ideas freely is crucial for learning as it allows students to think critically, challenge and engage with different perspectives. Students must remain free to inquire, study and evaluate, and gain new maturity and understanding. The participation of students in intellectual debates concerning the state of affairs of the country, therefore, should be encouraged, not discouraged. Higher education institutions must ensure that they are moulding a thinking society and supporting the promotion of multiple views – not investigating such views.

To that end, we call on the following recommendations to be adopted at once:

  1. The police and UM must, without any delay, drop their respective investigations into UMANY, its members, former members and associated student leaders, over UMANY’s statement;
  2. JPA should uphold academic freedom and immediately withdraw the demand for show-cause letters from the JPA-sponsored UMANY members over their alleged involvement over the matter;
  3. The relevant authorities must pledge to protect UMANY members who are being ​harassed, cyberbullied or threatened online over their statement and ensure that those who are making such threats are dealt with in accordance with established international standards and practices, and;
  4. The PN government must ensure that freedom of expression and speech is upheld and protected at all times for all Malaysians by repealing repressive laws used to arbitrarily restrict these freedoms, in particular, the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

12 November 2020

Jointly issued by:
Amnesty International Malaysia
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
Suara Rakyat Masyarakat (SUARAM)

Endorsed by the following civil society organisations:

  1. Agora Society
  2. Aliran
  3. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)
  4. Beyond Borders Malaysia
  5. Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
  6. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
  7. Community Women and Workers Network (CWWN)
  8. Demokrat UM
  9. EMPOWER Malaysia
  10. ENGAGE
  11. G25 Malaysia
  12. Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM)
  13. Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo
  14. Greenpeace Malaysia
  15. Growing Emerging Leaders (GEL)
  16. In Between Cultura
  17. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM)
  18. Johor Yellow Flame (JYF)
  19. Justice for Sisters
  20. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
  21. KLSCAH Youth
  22. LLG Cultural Development Centre Berhad
  23. Malaysia Muda
  24. Malaysian Medics International (MMI)
  25. Malaysian Students’ Global Alliance (MSGA)
  26. Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity Foundation (MAJU)
  27. National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE)
  28. North South Initiative (NSI)
  29. Oriental Hearts and Minds Study Institute (OHMSI)
  30. Our Journey
  31. Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
  32. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK)
  33. Persatuan Kesedaran dan Keadilan Iklim Malaysia – Klima ActionMalaysia KAMY
  34. Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor & KL (PRIHATIN)
  35. Persatuan Penduduk Galing Besar Kuantan
  36. Persatuan Prihatin Masyarakat Lipis
  37. Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM)
  38. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
  39. Pertubuhan SiraguGal
  40. Pertubuhan Solidariti Hijau Kuantan
  41. Pusat KOMAS
  42. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
  43. Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA)
  1. Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group (SAWO)
  2. Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspirations (SAPA)
  3. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
  4. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
  5. Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All Sabah (SERATA)
  6. Student Unity Front UKM
  7. Taiwan Alliance for Thai Democracy
  8. Tanah Dahai
  9. Tenaganita
  10. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
  11. Thai Students in Europe for Liberal Democracy
  12. The Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (BERSIH 2.0)
  13. Tindak Malaysia
  14. UM Law Society
  15. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
  16. Youth Era Malaysia

Endorsed by the following individuals:

  1. Yang Berhormat Wong Chen
  2. Dr. Vikkineshwaran Siva Subramaniam
  3. Ahmad Ghazali bin Abu Hassan
  4. Alan Tan
  5. Ambiga Sreenevasan
  6. Andrew Khoo
  7. Anson Liow
  8. Anwar Fazal
  9. Ari Saw
  10. Aw Swee Keng
  11. Azad Razack
  12. Beverly Joeman
  13. Caesar Loong
  14. Carlson Chew Yee Herng
  15. Chacko Vadaketh
  16. Chan Pei Wen
  17. Chan Suay Hwa
  18. Chang Hung Wai
  19. Cheah Khui Chen
  20. Cheong Chan Kiong
  21. Cherished Ng
  22. Chia Jia Xuan
  23. Chieng Xing Tien
  24. Chiew Chin Hang
  25. Chiew Choon Man
  26. Chin Kah Shen
  27. Chok Pit Yuen
  28. Chong Jia Jing
  1. Chong Zhao Xian
  2. Choo Kim Seng
  3. Chua
  4. Chuah Wen Jie
  5. Chwa See Kiap
  6. Daniel Chew
  7. Daniel Lim
  8. Dean Lau Sheng Ting
  9. Dennis Ignatius
  10. Edward Ignatius Victor
  11. Eng Teit Goy
  12. Eric Low
  13. Esther Kueh
  14. Faye Lee Chin
  15. Feisal Kamil
  16. Gan Jay Shen
  17. Gan Jia Seng
  18. Gan Xhi Yan
  19. Goh Ming Dao
  20. Goh Mun Yee
  21. Hiew Wen Tian
  22. Ho Chi Yang
  23. Ho Yock Lin
  24. Hoo Yi Zhi
  25. Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar
  26. Irene Xavier
  27. Ismail bin Ibrahim
  28. Jaffar Yusof
  29. James Bawi Thang Bik
  30. Jen Shaun Wong
  31. Joey Siu
  32. John Ku
  33. John Phoon
  34. Jonny Wong
  35. Joseph Hamzah Anwar
  36. Jules Rahman Ong
  37. Julien Chen Lip Syn
  38. Kamarul Zaman Abd Kadir
  39. Kaviarasan
  40. Kenn Yeap
  41. Khoo Kai Wen
  42. Koh Kar Weng
  43. Kuan Perk Siong
  44. Lam Yan Ci
  45. Lawrence Teen
  46. Lee Hao Jie
  1. Lee Soo Wei
  2. Lee Wei Jie
  3. Lee Xiang Sheng
  4. Lee Yong Xing
  5. Leong Wei Quan
  6. Liau Pin Chun
  7. Liew Liang Hong
  8. Liew Weng
  9. Lim Chaw Zen
  10. Lim Chin Chye
  11. Lim Chunwei
  12. Lim Jia Yi
  13. Lim Ru-Yi
  14. Lim Seng Keat
  15. Lim Teng Guan
  16. Lim Yu Dian
  17. Loh Xianda
  18. Mah Jun Hoong
  19. Mahes Balan
  20. Marina Mahathir
  21. Maryam Najwa Abd Rahman
  22. Mingshuen
  23. Monica Heng
  24. Muhammad Naqiuddin bin Nazri

99.Muhammad Rafique Bin Rashid Ali

  1. Nabilah Aryssa binti Mohamad Askandar
  2. Nathaniel Tan
  3. Ng Hao Yi
  4. Ng Leanne
  5. Ng Teng Yi
  6. Ng Xiang Yi
  7. Nurul Syahirah
  8. Paul S
  9. Pram
  10. Raymond Chin
  11. Raymond Lee
  12. Serina Lim
  13. Shaun Tan
  14. Sharon Ng She Nee
  15. Siah Kwong Liang
  16. Siti Kasim
  17. SM Muthu
  18. Soon Nyok Lian
  19. Swee Huat Eng
  20. Tan Cheng Siong
  21. Tan Chia Ee
  1. Tan Jia Shen
  2. Tan Li Ying
  3. Tan Teck Hoe
  4. Tan Wen Hui
  5. Teh Sin Joe
  6. Teo Swee Tengo
  7. Terry
  8. Thilaga
  9. Ting Teck Khoon
  10. Ting Zhao Hong
  11. Too Xing Ji
  12. Tyler Lim
  13. Yee Shan
  14. Wong Chang Fu
  15. Wong Chin Huat
  16. Wang Chun Rui
  17. Wong Yan Ke
  18. Wong Yan Zhi
  19. Wong Yew Lee
  20. Yap Mei Shya
  21. Yew Jun Huo
  22. Yong Ke-Qin
  23. Yu Ren Chung
  24. Zu Peng
  25. 吴汉坤
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ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) was founded in June 2013 with the objective of promoting democracy and human rights across Southeast Asia. Our founding members include many of the region's most progressive Members of Parliament (MPs), with a proven track record of human rights advocacy work.

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