As part of its ongoing initiative towards building a better system to develop and regulate Malaysian films, the Freedom Film Network (FFN) has launched a mini-film festival dubbed "Pesta TUT (Tak Usah Tutup-Tutup).
Press Statements and Releases
All press statements and releases, sorted by latest first
Three top media editors from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will come together in an online forum to discuss their experiences running newsrooms credited for upholding the principles of independent journalism.
Joint statement by FOE Cluster members and other civil society organisations and individuals calling for the release of participants of 19 Aug 2021 candlelight vigil held at Dataran Merdeka to commemmorate those who have died of COVID-19. 19 Aug 2021
Joint statement in solidarity with organisers of the #Lawan rally and commenting on authorities' obstruction of the rally. 31 July 2021
Press statement by Justice for Sisters (JFS) on the need for openness and ending hate speech on LGBTIQ communities
Joint statement on threats by outgoing Gombak police chief Arifai Tarawe to sue a news portal over articles published regarding his transfer following the death in custody of a man being held by Gombak police.
Press statement by Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ) on MBSA's decision to deny reporters from covering a public hearing on the council’s draft local plan.
Press Release for Amnesty International 2020 Report
Press statement by The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) on the memorandum by Malaysian civil society organisations and Myanmar refugees, asylum seekers in Malaysia on the escalating violence perpetrated by the military junta against non-violent, peaceful protesters throughout Myanmar.
Press statement by The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) on the frequent use of intimidation tactics by the government to silence dissenting voices.
Press release by Article 19 on the new emergency regulation on ‘fake news’ relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Press statement by The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) on Perikatan Nasional (PN) government’s decision to criminalise “fake news” under a new emergency ordinance and calls on the State to stop using the emergency proclamation to stifle any criticism of the current administration.
Press Statement by Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) on the new ordinance to combat "fake news".
A joint press statement by Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) on the current Myanmar situation
The Perikatan Nasional government has undermined and obstructed the exercise of fundamental freedoms during its first twelve months in power, said ARTICLE 19 and CIVICUS in a new report published today.
Press Statement by Justice for Sisters (JFS) on the prosecution of Sajat by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) for insulting Islam and wearing female attire.
Press statement by The LGBTQ+++++ Network in Malaysia on the Federal Court decision on the review of Section 28 of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995.
The Civil Society Cluster on Freedom of Expression [and the endorsing organizations] is extremely concerned at the implications of the Malaysian Federal Court decision on 19 February 2021 holding Malaysiakini guilty of contempt of court in relation to third party comments on their news site.
Press release by Article 19 on the conviction of Malaysiakini on contempt of court charges.
On 13 February, Malaysia’s Court of Appeal took an important step to defend the right to freedom of expression and the right freedom of religion or belief by overturning a ban on three books published by a think tank promoting moderate Islam
Press Statement by Justice for Sisters (JFS) on the is extremely concerned by the continuous and escalating discriminatory statements against trans and LGBT persons by Ministers at the Prime Minister’s Department.
Sisters in Islam (SIS) unequivocally object the amendment of the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 or Act 355 (RUU355) to provide heavier punishments on lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBTQ).
Press Statement by Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) on the rising number of Covid-19 infections
Joint statement on investigations against student group UMANY and arrest of its past president Wong Yan Ke. 12 Nov 2020
We are deeply concerned by a raid of a birthday party by the Kedah Islamic Department on 27 October 2020, where 30 transgender women attendees of the 100 attendees were singled out and given notice to report back at the Kedah Islamic Department on separate dates to be investigated under Section 26, which penalises ‘male persons wearing female attire in a public place’.
Press statement by Justice for Sisters (JFS) on the response received by human rights defenders.
A recent wave of criminal proceedings against civil society actors and others signals a worrying turn toward oppression by Malaysia’s new government
On 2 June, police arrested five individuals during a protest outside Ipoh Hospital in Kuala Lumpur. The protesters were raising concerns about the lack of personal protective equipment for hospital employees, arbitrary changes to work schedules, and denial of a government-authorised allowance for frontline workers.
ARTICLE 19 and 83 other human rights, humanitarian and civil society organisations sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia urging action to address the recent proliferation of ‘hate speech’ and violent threats against Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.
Malaysian police have summoned South China Morning Post journalist Tashny Sukumaran concerning her reporting on the recent mass arrest of foreign nationals in Kuala Lumpur.