SEAPA calls on Malaysian authorities to immediately release the parties concerned -- a blogger, a journalist and an opposition politician -- all of whom were arrested under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA) on Friday, September 12. We also join in the call for the outright junking of the ISA, the draconian law that allows for detention without trial, and which has often been wielded to stifle dissent and free expression, while denying citizens due process of law.

First to be arrested last Friday was blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin. Next to be arrested was journalist Tan Hoon Cheng, who works in the "Sin Chew Daily", a Chinese-language newspaper that had recently covered a controversial and racially-sensitive outburst from a ruling party member. Finally, Teresa Kok, a lawmaker from the Chinese-based DAP, and Deputy Chief Minister in Selangor, was also arrested under the ISA.

Malaysian media, oppositionists, and activists have expressed fears that Malaysia may be headed for a bigger crackdown. The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), a SEAPA Alerts partner based in Kuala Lumpur, said the measures "bear a disturbing resemblance to the period in the lead-up to the Operasi Lalang in 1987" when dozens of activists, artists, academics and politicians were detained. "Both incidents are similar in that it relates to ongoing political crisis within (Malaysian ruling party) UMNO, but manifested as alleged racial tension by the government."

The wave of arrests last Friday may also be part of a wider campaign that also saw last week three Malaysian newspapers—the "Sin Chew Daily"; "The Sun". which is a free English-language daily; and "Suara Keadilan", which is published by the opposition—threatened with suspension.

Though journalist Tan was released 16 hours after getting arrested, blogger Raja Petra and oppositionist Tan remained detained as of Monday, 15 September.
The perceived crackdown on dissenting voices does not encourage hope for a more democratic Malaysia. Indeed, it suggests that the government is ready to reverse the slow, tentative expansion of political and media space in Malaysia over the past few years.

SEAPA, a coalition of journalist groups and press freedom advocates from the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, joins democracy and free speech champions in Malaysia in calling on the Malaysian government to back down from its aggression against dissent, independent opinion, and criticism, and instead ensure an environment that is conducive to peaceful democratic processes.

ABOUT SEAPA

SEAPA is composed of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Indonesia), the Jakarta-based Institute for the Study of the Free Flow of Information (ISAI), the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and the Thai Journalists Association.

SEAPA (www.seapa.org) is the only regional organization with the specific mandate of promoting and protecting press freedom in Southeast Asia. SEAPA is a coalition of press freedom advocacy groups from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Established in November 1998, the network aims to unite independent journalists and press-related organisations in the region into a force for the protection and promotion of press freedom and free expression in Southeast Asia.

Contact us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call (662) 243 5579.

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