Malaysia Archives - Page 2 of 14 - Committee to Protect Journalists

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on June 1, 2018. The Malaysian parliament on August 16, 2018, repealed a law imposing criminal penalties for

CPJ welcomes repeal of Malaysia’s “fake news” law

August 16, 2018 10:53 AM EDT

Washington, D.C., August 16, 2018–The Malaysian parliament today repealed a law imposing criminal penalties for “fake news” that had been enacted earlier this year by the previous government of Prime Minister Najib Razak, according to news reports.

Political cartoonist Zunar, pictured in his Kuala Lumpur office in 2015. A court in Malaysia dropped nine sedition charges against Zunar. (AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

Malaysia withdraws sedition charges against cartoonist Zunar

July 31, 2018 11:53 AM EDT

New York, July 31, 2018–A Kuala Lumpur court yesterday dropped nine sedition charges against Malaysia’s political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, known as Zunar, according to news reports. If convicted, Zunar, who was honored with CPJ’s 2015 International Press Freedom Award, could have been jailed for up to 43 years.

CPJ calls on Malaysia’s Mahathir to prioritize press freedom

June 7, 2018 11:32 AM EDT

CPJ calls on newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to prioritize the promotion and protection of press freedom, and to immediately take action to repeal the recently enacted “fake news” law and other restrictive legislation.

Malaysia's landmark Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur in March 2015. A Malaysian court on April 30, 2018, handed down the nation's first conviction under its recently enacted

Malaysia issues first ‘fake news’ conviction

April 30, 2018 12:28 PM EDT

Bangkok, April 30, 2018–In a verdict with grave implications for press freedom, a Malaysian court today handed down the nation’s first conviction under its recently enacted “fake news” law, according to press reports.

An advertisement at a train station in Kuala Lumpur on March 26 reads 'Sharing a lie makes u a liar.' A draft bill to fight fake news in Malaysia proposes 10-year jail terms for sharing content authorities deem to be false. (AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

Malaysian Parliament to vote on ‘fake news’ bill

March 26, 2018 4:01 PM EDT

New York, March 26, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Malaysian Parliament to withdraw a draft bill on fake news. Under the proposed Anti-Fake News 2018 bill, anyone convicted of creating, circulating or publishing fake news online or on social media could face a 10-year jail term and fine of up to…

Cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhauqe, better known as Zunar, poses in prison clothes with plastic handcuffs at a February 2, 2015, event launching a book in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. (AP)

Malaysian authorities repeatedly arrest, harass award-winning cartoonist Zunar

December 19, 2016 11:54 AM EST

Bangkok, December 19, 2016–Malaysian authorities should drop all criminal charges against editorial cartoonist Zulikiflee Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar, and stop harassing him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police arrested Zunar on December 17, the cartoonist said in a statement, the latest incident in authorities’ relentless campaign of judicial and police harassment…

Malaysia intensifies harassment of award-winning cartoonist

November 28, 2016 11:22 AM EST

Bangkok, November 28, 2016―Malaysian authorities should drop all criminal charges against award-winning cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, popularly known as Zunar, and cease harassing him for his work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Members of the pro-government "red shirt" group, shown here in a September 16, 2015, file photo, protested outside news website Malaysiakini's office in Kuala Lumpur on November 5. The group's leader had threatened to "tear down" its office two days prior. (Reuters/Olivia Harris)

Independent Malaysian news website faces threats, harassment

November 7, 2016 12:45 PM EST

Bangkok, November 8, 2016 – Malaysia’s government should cease harassing independent news site Malaysiakini, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police have opened a criminal investigation into the website, and a government-linked pressure group has threatened to “tear down” the website’s office.

Award-winning Malaysian cartoonist banned from travel

October 18, 2016 11:47 AM EDT

Bangkok, October 18, 2016–Malaysian authorities should immediately lift all restrictions on cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque’s freedom of movement, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. An officer at Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday prevented the cartoonist, better known as Zunar, from leaving the country, according to news reports.

Members of Malaysia's "red shirt" group demonstrate in support of the government on the country's national day, in Kuala Lumpur, September 16, 2015 (Reuters/Olivia Harris)

Pro-government group harasses journalists in Malaysia

October 17, 2016 12:06 PM EDT

Bangkok, October 17, 2016 – Malaysian authorities should swiftly bring to justice those responsible for harassing three journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Members of a pro-government group threatened journalists covering a confrontation between a group associated with the ruling party and a rival group on October 15, according to press reports.