Threats against internet freedom expected to worsen in Malaysia in 2012

2^nd October KUALA LUMPUR— Malaysia’s internet freedom has worsened in a study of 47 countries in the latest Freedom on the Net 2012: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media.

Malaysia’s state of internet freedom was assessed as “partly free” and had slipped two notches. In the report released on 24 Sept, 2012, Malaysia was identified as one of the countries at risk of further decline due to new restrictive laws such as recent amendments to the Evidence Act, and the prevalence of acts such as several cyber attacks of prominent news websites and opposition-linked sites, and the arrest of bloggers.

The annual study conducted by US-based Freedom House, evaluates each country based on barriers to access, limits on content, and violations of user rights, and traces trends from January 2011 to May 2012.

The report cited the recent amendments to the Evidence Act 1950 namely Section 114A which holds intermediaries liable for seditious content as a very troubling development. It also cited the use of other laws used by authorities to launch investigations and conduct arbitrary arrests against bloggers and internet users, although these had lessened in 2011. However, it noted the rise of disproportionate awards for defamation suits filed against bloggers such as the RM400,000 damages awarded to the Minister of Information, Communications, and Culture Rais Yatim. It noted that bloggers critical against the government have also been subject to legal harassment, intimidation, fines and detention.

It also highlighted the new Security Offences (Special Measures) Act which allows for the interception of communications without a judicial order in security-related offences, and a broadly-worded amendment to the Penal Code criminalising any activity “detrimental to parliamentary democracy” which can be used to criminalise politically-sensitive speech. Furthermore, poor privacy protections exacerbate vulnerabilities of internet users in the context of this restrictive landscape.

It also noted the increase in the use of “cybertroopers” deployed by both government and opposition parties to produce either favourable content for themselves or harmful content towards opponents.

In other areas, Malaysia’s lack of high-quality infrastructure and the severe digital divide among urban/rural population was cited as a major barrier to access.

However, with an active blogosphere and increasing numbers of active netizens, the report acknowledged that the internet in Malaysia still remains “a relatively unconstrained space for free expression” despite creeping infringements.

Responding to the findings, Centre for Independent Journalism’s Executive Office Masjaliza Hamzah said, “The report’s analysis confirms our own fears of increasing government clampdown for speech online, as evidenced by the Section 114A amendment. These moves are an effort to tame the internet which is considered too permissible towards airing unfavourable views of the ruling government.

“Unfortunately, the government doesn’t understand that these moves to prohibit and proscribe is equally damaging for them, and moreover, is detrimental towards harnessing the power of the internet so crucial for economic and social development,” she added.

Overall, the report concluded that attacks against bloggers, increasing surveillance, manipulation of content and restrictive laws regulating speech on the internet were on the rise. On the upside, civil society and citizen push-back against these moves saw some victories such as in Pakistan, Turkey and the US.

Get the full country report here: http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2012/malaysia#_ftn10

Get the global report here: http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/inline_images/FOTN%202012%20FINAL.pdf

ENDS

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.

27 September 2012

Open letter to

H.E. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Najib Abdul Razak;

Honorable Chief Minister of Penang State Government Mr. Lim Guan Eng;

Honorable Chief Minister of Selangor State Government Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim,

On the occasion of the global celebration of International Right to Know Day, on 28 September, we, the undersigned organisations, would like to highlight that access to information is a crucial part of an enabling environment in which the public and civil society organisations can participate in decision-making, and the media can report in the public interest and scrutinise wrongdoing and corruption in the public sector. It is, as a result, a key part of a sound development program, as well as being a human right.

We are writing to ask the Federal Barisan Nasional coalition to make an election commitment, in the upcoming general elections, to adopt right to information legislation as soon as possible. The right to information has been recognised internationally as a fundamental human right and it is therefore incumbent on all countries to adopt legislation giving effect to it. To date, more than 90 countries around the world have adopted right to information legislation, affirming the global recognition of this fundamental human right, as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are very concerned that the Barisan Nasional government has persistently rejected calls to enact such a law and has instead systematically targeted whistleblowers and individuals who have sought to expose wrongdoing and corruption in the public sector.

The government’s persistent denial of this right is putting its credibility and popularity increasingly at risk.

In contrast to the resistance at the federal level, two states, Selangor and Penang, have both passed Freedom of Information Enactments, in April and November 2011, respectively. Although these laws have certain weaknesses, they represent an important step in terms of legal recognition of the right to information and the public’s right to know. We encourage all states to build on this achievement in Penang and Selangor by putting in place clear plans of action for the implementation of these laws, and in all other states by enacting Freedom of Information laws. Experience around the world demonstrates that it is not enough simply to pass a right to information law; implementation is crucial to ensure that citizens can exercise this fundamental human right.

On the occasion of International Right to Know Day, we therefore call upon:

The Barisan Nasional Government to:

• enact a Right to Information law; and

• repeal all laws and provisions that unduly restrict citizens’ right to access public information.

The Pakatan Rakyat Governments of Penang and Selangor to:

• publish an inventory of the information held by public bodies; appoint and provide adequate training to information officers;

• undertake routine proactive disclosure of information of public interest; and conduct adequate public awareness activities to ensure that citizens are aware of the law and how to use it.

Gayathry Venkiteswaran

Executive Director (email: gayathry (a) seapa.org)

Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)

H. R. Dipendra

Executive Director (email: dipendra3000 (a) gmail.com)

Media Defence-Southeast Asia

Toby Mendel

Executive Director (email: toby (a) law-democracy.org)

Centre for Law and Democracy

Sonia Randhawa

Director (email: soniarandhawa1 (a) yahoo.com.my)

Centre for Independent Journalism

Joint Media Statement

25 September 2012

We, the undersigned civil society organisations in Malaysia, deplore the one-sided and highly irresponsible New Straits Times (NST) front cover story on 21 September 2012 which alleged two global funders and nine organisations which received grants from them are part of a “plot to destabilize the government”.

We find the report by journalist Farrah Naz Karim written in bad faith and view it as a crude attack on civil society in Malaysia for these reasons:

a)     The report did not feature any comments from any of the named funders nor organisations – SUARAM, Bersih, Southeast Centre for E-Media, Centre for Independent Journalism, Merdeka Center, Lawyers for Liberty, Liberal Banter Sdn Bhd, Malaysiakini.com, and Southeast Asian Press Alliance. Except for Malaysiakini.com, no attempt has been made to contact any of the Malaysia-based organisations for their response after the article was published;

b)     The report did not offer any fact or evidence to corroborate its claims, relying instead on extracts from secondary references and makes insinuations that the said organisations which received funding are involved in “destabilising the government”;

c)     The report was written in a sensationalised style, quoting unnamed sources for a news article which accused eight Malaysia-based organisations and a regional media activist group of a grave allegation – being linked to “foreign hands” out to “destabilise legitimate governments and replace them with client proxies”;

d)     The report used an interview with political scientist Chandra Muzaffar to make the simplistic and sweeping link between global funders and democracy movements which toppled dictators in the Middle East and Malaysian organisations.

Such disparaging reports lay the groundwork for a crackdown on civil society as can be seen from the on-going state harassment campaign against SUARAM and the possible use of even more draconian measures.

We view this spate of attacks on civil society as an attempt to distract public attention from serious issues of corruption and abuse of power such as the Scorpene submarine and National Feedlot Centre scandals and the people’s demand for greater democracy, human rights and free and fair elections.

Given the serious nature of the allegations and insinuations, and the lack of evidence produced, we demand that the NST retract its unfounded news report and print a full and unqualified apology in an equally prominent place.

Endorsed by:

1. Bersih
2. Centre for Independent Journalism
3. Lawyers for Liberty
4. Merdeka Centre
5. Southeast Centre for E-Media
6. Suara Rakyat Malaysia

25 September 2012 (updated 18:50)

We, the undersigned civil society organisations in Malaysia, deplore the one-sided and highly irresponsible New Straits Times (NST) front cover story on 21 September 2012 which alleged two global funders and nine organisations which received grants from them are part of a “plot to destabilize the government”.

We find the report by journalist Farrah Naz Karim written in bad faith and view it as a crude attack on civil society in Malaysia for these reasons:

a)      The report did not feature any comments from any of the named funders nor organisations – SUARAM, Bersih, Southeast Centre for E-Media, Centre for Independent Journalism, Merdeka Center, Lawyers for Liberty, Liberal Banter Sdn Bhd, Malaysiakini.com, and Southeast Asian Press Alliance. Except for Malaysiakini.com and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance, no attempt has been made to contact any of the Malaysia-based organisations for their response after the article was published;

b)      The report did not offer any fact or evidence to corroborate its claims, relying instead on extracts from secondary references and makes insinuations that the said organisations which received funding are involved in “destabilising the government”;

c)      The report was written in a sensationalised style, quoting unnamed sources for a news article which accused eight Malaysia-based organisations and a regional media activist group of a grave allegation – being linked to “foreign hands” out to “destabilise legitimate governments and replace them with client proxies”;

d)     The report used an interview with political scientist Chandra Muzaffar to make the simplistic and sweeping link between global funders and democracy movements which toppled dictators in the Middle East and Malaysian organisations.

Such disparaging reports lay the groundwork for a crackdown on civil society as can be seen from the on-going state harassment campaign against SUARAM and the possible use of even more draconian measures.

We view this spate of attacks on civil society as an attempt to distract public attention from serious issues of corruption and abuse of power such as the Scorpene submarine and National Feedlot Centre scandals and the people’s demand for greater democracy, human rights and free and fair elections.

Given the serious nature of the allegations and insinuations, and the lack of evidence produced, we demand that the NST retract its unfounded news report and print a full and unqualified apology in an equally prominent place.

Endorsed by:

1. Bersih
2. Centre for Independent Journalism
3. Lawyers for Liberty
4. Merdeka Centre
5. Southeast Centre for E-Media
6. Suara Rakyat Malaysia

Title: Joint media conference in response to NST’s unfounded front-page allegations
Location: GF, KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall 1 Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Description: Organisations: Bersih, Centre for Independent Journalism, Lawyers for Liberty, Merdeka Centre, Southeast Centre for E-Media (SEACEM), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2012-09-25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 August 2012

Kuala Lumpur — Malaysian civil society’s latest effort in campaigning against the newly introduced Section 114A to the Evidence Act 1950 — Internet Blackout Day – is gaining momentum and has received more endorsements from prominent websites, Netizens and politicians.

The Bar Council has confirmed taking down their website (http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/) to support this while the Democratic Action Party (DAP) is shutting down all websites administered by them and will not be updating their Facebook and Twitter accounts all day on 14^th August, 2012. Tech-savvy DAP politician Lim Kit Siang and lawyer/avid Twitter user Edmund Bon have both vowed to go offline for 24hours.

Bloggers who have pledged to support a pop-up to promote the Stop 114A campaign include Marina Mahathir, Hishamuddin Rais (Tukar Tiub), Uppercaise, Nat Tan, Niki Cheong, Anil Netto, Juana Jaafar, Sarawak Bloggers, Fahmi Fadzil, myasylum etc.

Internet Blackout Day pop-up is also being supported by news sites Free Malaysia Today, Malaysiakini, Digital News Asia, The Nut Graph, bfm, Merdeka Review, and party organ news sites Harakah Daily and Keadilan Daily. Supporters from commercial/entrepreneurial sector include lelong.com.my, entrepreneurs.my, nexusmediaworks and MOL. From the online resources & community sector, cari.com.my, anixekai.com, LoyarBurok, mobile88, jbtalks and edu.joshuatly.com

The pop-up will also appear on these civil society organisation websites: SUARAM, Women’s Aid Organisation, ALIRAN, Kajian Politik untuk Perubahan (KPRU), Research for Social Advancement, Relevant Facts, Sparkling Analysis (REFSA), Sinar Project, SEACeM, Tindak Malaysia, Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF), Lawyers for Liberty, Perak Women for Women, Empower, Women’s Centre For Change, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Sisters in Islam (SIS) and more.

On Twitterverse, the campaign is also supported by @sultanmuzaffar – who has 248,119 followers and @klubkiddkl with 223,105 followers.

The Blackout Day has also received international attention – highlighted in tweets by popular whistle-blower WikiLeaks and global digital freedom NGO Access Now.

Scheduled for 14th August, the Internet Blackout Day initiative is aimed to create awareness among Internet users about the negative impact of the amendment on online expression. Malaysia’s first Internet Blackout Day takes its cue from similar efforts in the United States and New Zealand in support of internet

On 14th August, internet users who visit participating websites will see a pop-up window which contains the message of the campaign. In addition, Netizens can change their profile pictures/avatar on Twitter and Facebook to black or use downloadable images provided by CIJ.

Section 114A, otherwise known as Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012, was passed by Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara in April this year and was gazetted on 31st July by de facto law Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The amendment has raised concerns from many parties such as lawyers, activists and Internet-based businesses. Under Section 114A, an Internet user is deemed the publisher of any online content unless proven otherwise. It also makes individuals and those who administer, operate or provide spaces for online community forums, blogging and hosting services, liable for content published through its services. This presumption of guilt goes against a fundamental principle of justice – innocent until proven guilty – and disproportionately burdens the average person who may not have the resources to defend himself in court.

The amendment’s wide reach will affect all internet users, websites which provide space for online comments, and any business premises which give free Wi-Fi access to their customers.

In addition, the new amendment was passed despite the fact that existing laws — including the Computer Crimes Act 1997, Sedition Act 1948, Defamation Act 1957, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 — have been used to arrest and charge in court those who commit defamation, criminal defamation, fraud and sedition online.

For more information about the Internet Blackout Day and to take part in the campaign please visit:

1. the official blog at stop114a.wordpress.com

2. the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/evidenceamendmentact.

3. Stop 114A’s Twibbon page for Twitter: http://twibbon.com/join/Stop-114A

4. Stop 114A’s Twibbon page for Facebook: http://twibbon.com/cause/Stop-114A/facebook

For additional information, please contact CIJ via e-mail at cijmalaysia (a) gmail.com or call us at 03-4023 0772.

Background to the Campaign

The Internet Blackout Day is part of a campaign to call for the withdrawal of the new Section 114A in the Evidence Act 1950, otherwise known as Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012. It began on 31 May, 2012 when CIJ launched an online petition to call on the government to withdraw the Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act. The petition, which received more than 3300 signatures, was handed over to the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department V.K. Liew in Parliament on 26 June, 2012.

CIJ also organized a public forum on 12 June, 2012, entitled ‘Section 114A Evidence Act: Crime-busting or Online Control?’ with a lawyer, an online activist and tech experts discussing about the repercussions of the amendment.

On Aug 11, 2012, CIJ, with National Young Lawyers Committee and Pusat Rakyat LoyarBurok co-hosted a discussion on legal implications of Section 114A with three lawyers and Member of Parliament and Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

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The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.

Debat a la Doha (dalam Bahasa Inggeris) anjuran Jawatankuasa Peguam Muda Majlis Peguam Negara di bawah rancangan Siri Pemikiran Kritis, bersama Pusat Kewartawanan Bebas (Centre for Independence Journalism) dan Pusat Rakyat LoyarBurok.

11 Ogos 2012 (Sabtu)

9.45am-12pm

Oditorium Raja Aziz Addruse, Majlis Peguam Negara, 15, Leboh Pasar Besar, KL.

Pendebat handalan!

7 August 2012

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) announced Malaysian civil society’s latest effort in campaigning against the newly introduced Section 114A to the Evidence Act 1950: an Internet Blackout Day

Scheduled for 14th August, the action is aimed to create awareness among Internet users about the negative impact of the amendment on online expression. Malaysia’s first Internet Blackout Day takes its cue from similar efforts in the United States and New Zealand in support of internet freedom.

On 14th August, internet users who visit participating websites will see a pop-up window which contains the message of the campaign. In addition, Netizens can change their profile pictures/avatar on Twitter and Facebook to black or use downloadable images provided by CIJ.

Centre of Independent Journalism’s executive officer Masjaliza Hamzah said that the objective of this action is for Netizens to urge the government to withdraw the amendment which, together with a few other laws, was passed hastily in Parliament in the April 2012 sitting.

Section 114A, otherwise known as Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012, was passed by Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara in April this year and was gazetted on 31st July by de facto law Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The amendment has raised concerns from many parties such as lawyers, activists and Internet-based businesses. Under Section 114A, an Internet user is deemed the publisher of any online content unless proven otherwise. It also makes individuals and those who administer, operate or provide spaces for online community forums, blogging and hosting services, liable for content published through its services. This presumption of guilt goes against a fundamental principle of justice – innocent until proven guilty — and disproportionately burdens the average person who may not have the resources to defend himself in court.

The amendment’s wide reach will affect all internet users, websites which provide space for online comments, and any business premises which give free Wi-Fi access to their customers.

In addition, the new amendment was passed despite the fact that existing laws — including the Computer Crimes Act 1997, Sedition Act 1948, Defamation Act 1957, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 — have been used to arrest and charge in court those who commit defamation, criminal defamation, fraud and sedition online.

The Internet Blackout Day has received positive response from the Internet community. Businesses who rely on the Internet such as the auction store lelong.com.my, online forum cari.com.my, and entertainment portal gua.com.my have signed up to show support. Other key supporters include online news sites such as Malaysiakini and Digital News Asia, bloggers such as Niki Cheong and Nat Tan. This initiative is also supported by civil society organisations such as SUARAM and Women’s Aid Organisation.

For more information about the Internet Blackout Day and to take part in the campaign, please visit:

1. The official blog at stop114a.wordpress.com

2. The Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/evidenceamendmentact.

3. Stop 114A’s Twibbon page for Twitter: http://twibbon.com/join/Stop-114A

4. Stop 114A’s Twibbon page for Facebook: http://twibbon.com/cause/Stop-114A/facebook

For additional information, please contact CIJ via e-mail at cijmalaysia@gmail.com or call us at 03-4023 0772.

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.

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Background to the Campaign

The Internet Blackout Day is part of a campaign to call for the withdrawal of the new Section 114A in the Evidence Act 1950, otherwise known as Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012. It began on 31 May, 2012 when CIJ launched an online petition to call on the government to withdraw the Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act. The petition, which received more than 3300 signatures, was handed over to the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department V.K. Liew in Parliament on 26 June.

CIJ also organized a public forum on 12 June, entitled ‘Section 114A Evidence Act: Crime-busting or Online Control?’ with a lawyer, an online activist and tech experts discussing about the repercussions of the amendment.

2 Aug, 2012

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) regrets the reprehensible conduct of the journalists who overstepped their ethical and professional boundaries during a recent police raid on a suspected vice den in Selangor.

A journalist who was at the raid two weeks ago reported that some media photographers not only took pictures of the raid but deliberately tried to shoot women who were caught in various states of undress. Some went to the extent of using their personal mobile phones to capture these images and one even tailed after a woman who was trying to put on her clothes in a more private corner.

It would appear that these media personnel cannot distinguish their role as an independent documenter with the public interest in mind, and have instead abused their position.

In doing so, the photographers have failed to observe one fundamental journalistic principle – to minimise harm on those they report on, whether they are sex workers, children, family members of victims etc.

The conduct of these few journalists was all the more dismaying in view of the professionalism and integrity of their peers who had documented police abuse of Bersih 3.0 protesters at great risk to their physical safety.

But it is not only the journalists’ action that should be taken to task. The police conduct in allowing unhindered access in this instance again raises the need for a standard operating procedure to ensure that the rights of all parties – whether in a raid or a rally, be they journalists or alleged wrongdoers – are protected. We note the inconsistency in treatment: in this particular raid, the media is given unhindered access, but during Bersih 3.0, journalists were practically stopped from doing their work when documenting police violence, had their equipment seized or damaged, with more than 12 cases of journalists arrested and/or even beaten.

While some may question whether the media has any role at all to play in a raid, we believe that the presence of journalists here, as in all cases involving authority, is necessary not only to report the event but also to check against possible abuse of power. However, journalism ethics, which include the principle of minimizing harm, should be adhered to at all times. Media personnel should not inflict needless pain to their subjects and must refrain from exploiting them.

The public and the media should understand that pandering to sensationalism and hype, though a short-term measure that increases readership, comes at a cost to people’s right to be informed of issues of public interest – such as corruption, abuse of power and betrayal of public trust – and to make the right choices.

CIJ urges the respective newsrooms to hold the journalists to account for their actions. On the Home Ministry’s part, this incident and the Bersih 3.0 rally show the need for them to begin consultations to draw up a standard operating procedure in dealing with media, which takes into account international standards. CIJ also urges the public to reject sensationalist, gutter journalism that thrives on shaming and exploiting ordinary people.
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The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.

For immediate release

26 June 2012

Petition to stop controversial amendment handed to deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR – The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) today handed a petition against recent amendments to the Evidence Act 1950 to deputy law minister facto law minister Datuk VK Liew in parliament. 

The petition collected more than 3300 signatures and called on the government to withdraw Section 114A of the Evidence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012 because it threatens freedom of expression online and presumes the guilt rather than innocence of internet users publishing content online.

CIJ director Jac sm Kee said, “The law is vague and broad enough that it has caused a lot of fear. Majority of Malaysians will err on the side of caution.”

The presumption of guilt also disproportionately burdens the majority of internet users in Malaysia who are not very tech-savvy. “What can an ordinary internet user do to prove it wasn’t them who published something online when the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) itself sometimes says it doesn’t have the technical resources to find the real culprits?” she told Liew.

Liew however said that many fears are misplaced and he agreed that more dialogue is needed. He also thanked the petitioners for presenting their views.

The amendment also makes Internet intermediaries –parties that provide online community forums, blogging and hosting services — liable for content that is published through its services. This has implications on businesses such as eateries that provide free wi-fi. “If a kopitiam owner is liable for all the traffic that goes through its wi-fi, it places a lot of burden on them, in terms of monetary and human resources, to either conduct surveillance or stop providing wi-fi altogether,” Kee explained.

She said the law is also in contradiction to the prime minister’s speech on the eve of the last Merdeka Day, where he talked about wanting to improve the ICT infrastructure of the country. The law creates a chilling effect that hampers this economic drive.

Joining CIJ at the handover was A. Asohan, Executive Editor of Digital News Asia, and Foong Cheng Leong Co-chair of Kuala Lumpur Bar Information Technology Committee. Speaking to reporters later, Asohan said, “The fact that MPs from the both sides of the political divide did not understand the wider ramifications of this amendment shows there is a need for greater discussion. We need more legal brains on it and feedback from the industry and others like Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and MCMC. Given that the BN will be announcing the digital transformation programme soon, this will be a major issue.”

Referring to the recent move by Kuala Lumpur City Hall requiring provision of wi-fi under its food and beverage business licence, Asohan said, “If businesses are being told that they must provide wi-fi access in KL but they are going to be liable for every tweet that comes out from their network, why would they want to do so? It sounds very alarmist. But it’s there in black and white. It may not be the spirit of the law but it is in the letter, which makes it open to abuse.”

The controversial amendment was bulldozed through during April’s parliamentary meeting which saw a raft of laws passed without debate. The amendment made news shortly after when concerns were raised by civil society as to its detrimental impacts and broad reach.

CIJ launched its e-petition on 31st May as part of a campaign to stop the amendment which is yet to be gazetted. The petition was signed by prominent Malaysians such as Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, film producer Pete Teo, writer and radio personality Patrick Teoh, social activists Marina Mahathir and Dr Irene Fernandez, and notable academics Dr Azmi Sharom and Dr Mustafa K Anuar. 

Petition signers also took the opportunity to air their grievances about the law by adding colourful comments on the e-petition. For example, Vernon Adrian Emuang wrote, “The amendment is a bad law passed in haste and does not take into account public interest and participation.” Other comments included “Very poor piece of legislation passed without proper debate or thought” and “Please stop this. This is so uncool.”