Executive Director Sevan Doraisamy and Programme Officer Azura Nasron from the prominent rights organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and along with another individual are expected to be charged on 25 February at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court for alleged trespassing. The charges are linked to their peaceful attempt to engage with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) in Putrajaya.
The activists are expected to be charged under Section 5 of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959. Respectively, they could face up to two years of imprisonment, a fine of RM1,000, or both if convicted.
“Punishing human rights defenders with criminal charges for peacefully seeking dialogue with public officials is a clear attempt to intimidate and silence those who are holding the government accountable,” said Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer at ARTICLE 19. “This misuse of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act violates fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, undermining Malaysia’s commitment to democracy.”
The charges stem from a 12 February incident where Sevan and Azura waited for more than two hours at MOHA for a promised pass to enter the building to discuss pressing human rights concerns related to the detention conditions for those detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012. Rather than facilitating this engagement, authorities responded with criminal charges.
“Public institutions should welcome scrutiny and constructive criticism instead of retaliating with punitive measures aimed at silencing civil society.” Nalini added. “Malaysia must end its reliance on outdated laws to suppress dissent and drop all charges against SUARAM and other individuals and allow human rights defenders to advocate freely without fear of reprisal.”