Malaysia’s internet freedom has worsened in a Freedom House study of 47 countries in the latest Freedom on the Net 2012: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media. 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 cyber attacks on prominent news websites and Opposition-linked sites, and the arrest of bloggers.

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, 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”.

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 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

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.

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 [...]

An Amendment to the Evidence Act has recently been passed through parliament. Curious to know more?

CIJ invites all Netizens to sign an e-petition against the Evidence (Amendment) (No2) Act 2012: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/1million-malaysians-against-evidence-amendment-no2.html We, Netizens who value Internet freedom, call on the Government to withdraw the Evidence (Amendment) (No2) Act 2012 for these reasons: 1. It presumes guilt rather than innocence which contradicts the basis of our justice system. The newly introduced [...]

(Corrected on 4 May 2012) On World Press Freedom Day 2012, the Centre for Independent Journalism renews its call to the people to reclaim their right to a media that can play its role of bearing witness and informing society.