Concerns grow over freedom of expression under Anwar govt

Four months into PM role, he has done little to fulfil campaign promises of greater civil liberties

- Ram Anand

KUALA LUMPUR - Concerns have been growing among civil society groups in Malaysia over freedom of expression since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim became prime minister four months ago.

Despite spending decades campaigning on a reform platform, which included promises of greater civil liberties, he and the Pakatan Harapan coalition he leads have done little to change perceived oppressive laws that were long used by previous governments against their critics.

Members of Mr Anwar's own coalition have previously been arrested or imprisoned under national security and sedition laws when they were in the opposition.

Incidents of public rallies being probed by the police, investigations over online criticism and calls by government politicians to use the colonial-era sedition laws have all continued under Mr Anwar's administration since he came into power in November 2022.

At the centre of these moves is his own pursuit of his political critics from the opposition Perikatan Nasional. Defamation lawsuits and criminal defamation reports have been filed against them, including opposition leader and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin.