edited by Alastair Carthew and Simon Winkelmann
A series of newspaper suspensions, the arrest of a well known cartoonist for “sedition,” a blogger charged under a multi-media law, demonstrators arrested for opposing the Internal Security Act (ISA) , three journalists being questioned over investigations, enactment of a freedom of information act in Selangor State and some progress on introducing new laws on transparency: Malaysia’s media environment was a contrast in styles in the second half of 2010.In this atmosphere the enactment of the Selangor State Government’s Freedom of Information Enactment 2010, the first such legislation in Malaysia, was seen by media observers as a step in the right direction. The bill seeks to enhance disclosure of information for the public interest and provide individuals access to information by every government department. It was to receive a third reading in the state assembly in early 2011.
In other legislative moves the federal government in April passed the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Personal Data Protection Act and were awaiting gazetting. So far, however, Malaysia has not enacted a Freedom of Information Act (FOI) as almost 90 other countries around the world have done in the past 15 years, including Thailand in 1997, Indonesia in 2008. The Philippines is planning a stronger law in 2011.
Elsewhere, authorities were still active in suspending, arresting and questioning journalists and a cartoonist over various charges. Three opposition newspapers, Suara Keadilan, Kabar Era Pakatan and Rocket were suspended and a fourth, Harakah, had its distribution restricted. The first three papers’ licenses were not renewed, and Harakah, while renewed, was banned from newsstands. No clear reason for the action was given by the government.
Cartoonist Zulkiflee Anawar Ulhaque, known by his pen name Zunar, was arrested on 24 September a few hours before launch of his book, “Cartoon-o-phobia, a collection of satirical political cartoons”. He was released on bail, but went into hiding for fear of being arrested again. Authorities seized 66 copies of the book. In another case involving satire, blogger Irwan Abdul Raman was facing up to a year in prison and 50,000 ringgit (USD15, 900) fine. Raman was charged under the 1998 Communications and Multimedia law for transmitting “content that is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with malicious intent” for a report falsely claiming that Malaysia’s biggest energy company was planning to sue the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) over its Earth Hour demonstration against global warming.
In Kelantan, Selangor and Penang cities on 1 August, 38 demonstrators at a candle-lit vigil calling for repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA), were arrested and later released. Concern about the ISA continues in Malaysia. It was created in 1960 to combat a communist insurrection and became known as the “white terror”. Under Section 8 anyone can be detained without trial for two years and detention can be renewed indefinitely.
Three journalists were questioned in July from The Star daily, New Straits Times daily and The Malaysian Reserve business daily in relation to investigations of possible corporate governance at a furniture company.
Malaysia had almost 17 million Internet users as of June, 2009, a 64.4% penetration; and 8 million Facebook users at 31 August, 2010, 31.2% penetration. At the end of 2009, Malaysia had around 1.1 million Twitter users, making it sixth in Asia.
Malaysia is 141st on the Reporters without Borders press freedom index.