Malaysian Repression of Reform Activists Condemned

Malaysian authorities are arbitrarily arresting and detaining scores of peaceful electoral form protesters in the worse repression of free speech and freedom of assembly in recent years. Among those currently detained are 30 peaceful activists from the Socialist Party who were denied detention of their review today under accusation of "waging war against the king". Since 24 June, more than 100 activists have been arrested or questioned by police. The demonstration is being planned for 9th July by the coalition for Fair and Free Elections. People have been arrested for wearing yellow, are being held without charge and face investigation for sedition and unlawful assembly. The Government has also threatened to invoke the draconian Internal Security Act over the rally, allowing the indefinite detention without trial. Malaysia is determining to be a moderate democracy through this campaign of repression. Amnesty International is calling for Malaysia to immediately to release all activists or charge with a recognizable criminal offence, drop unfounded charges, and respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Today, Penang High Court dismissed a review of the arbitrary detention of 30 socialist party activists, remanding them without charge for "waging war against the king", which is punishable by life imprisonment. These activists also include two children. Among these detainees is Socialist Party Member of Parliament, Dr. Jeyakumar Devaraj, who was denied access to necessary heart medication for 15 hours while in detention. Four more people were arrested and released today including a state assembly man and a member of parliament for wearing yellow. On 29th June, police raided the office of the Bersih 2.0 Secretariat without warranting detaining seven people, laptops, cameras and rally materials. Malaysia's Home Minister, Hishammudin Hussein, threatened on 26th June to invoke the Internal Security Act against rally organisers, on the ground of national security. Bersih 2.0 plans to hold the 9th July rally to demand a set of electoral reforms. This includes fair access of all political parties to the media, reform of postal ballots and revisions of the electoral roll to address irregularities.