We, the undersigned organisations, strongly condemn the arrest of Sevan Doraisamy, the Executive Director of the human rights organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and a prominent human rights defender. The deployment of six police officers to arbitrarily arrest one individual for allegedly entering a restricted area in the Home Ministry (KDN) without authorisation is outrageous and a clear abuse of power. Sevan was investigated under Section 7 of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959. He was released at approximately 3.10 pm on 12 February after the police took his statement. The police should end all forms of intimidation and further investigation against Sevan and SUARAM immediately.
On Monday, 10 February, Sevan and the families of 32 detainees held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) attempted to visit the Home Ministry to raise concerns over their detention conditions. However, they were prevented from entering. They waited over two and a half hours for a promised entry pass, which was never issued. Instead of facilitating the meeting with KDN officers, the authorities ignored them and later used this as a pretext for arrest.
On 12 February, at approximately 10:15 am, the police notified Sevan that they would be coming to serve the 111 notice to record their statement. However, upon arrival at the SUARAM office, no 111 notice was served. Instead, the police proceeded with Sevan’s arrest under Section 7 of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959. Sevan was taken to the Putrajaya District Police Headquarters. He was released after more than two hours.
This heavy-handed approach is not about security but about sending a clear message: those who challenge the government’s abuses will face reprisal. The authorities’ use of excessive force for such a trivial matter underscores the escalating repression of civil society in Malaysia.
Although Sevan has been released, his arrest is yet another example of the Malaysian authorities’ increasing hostility toward human rights defenders and the right to freedom of expression. This follows a broader pattern of crackdowns on students, media and civil society organisations advocating for legal reforms, particularly those the political coalition government Pakatan Harapan once promised to implement.
Together, we call on the Malaysian authorities to cease all forms of harassment and intimidation against SUARAM and all other human rights defenders and ensure that human rights defenders in Malaysia can carry out their fundamental responsibilities to promote and protect human rights without fear of reprisals. The government must uphold our right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly as enshrined under Article 10 of our Federal Constitution.
Signed by:
Amnesty International Malaysia (AIM)
ARTICLE 19
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
Freedom Film Network (FFN)
Justice for Sisters (JFS)
Kryss Network
Sisters In Islam (SIS)
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)