ARTICLE 19 calls for the Malaysian authorities to drop further investigations into Mukmin Nantang under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948. This harassment demonstrates the urgent need to abolish the Act, which authorities have used in an abusive and arbitrary manner.
Mukmin Nantang is one of the founders of Borneo Komrad, a youth-led organisation focusing on education for stateless children. On 27 June, he was summoned to the Semporna district police headquarters under the Sedition Act. After Mukmin arrived at the police station with his lawyers, the police informed him that he was now under arrest under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. He was released on bail shortly after his statement was recorded.
This arrest and investigation are reported to relate to his peaceful advocacy for the rights of the Bajau Laut people, an indigenous community in Malaysia that faces systematic forced eviction, injustice and barriers to obtaining official identification documents rendering many members of the community stateless.
“Stop targeting advocates for human rights of the most marginalised communities in the country with the Sedition Act. Such actions not only suppress dissent but also perpetuate injustice and hinder progress towards a fair and inclusive society. Drop all investigations against Mukmin immediately,” said Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer at ARTICLE 19.
Borneo Komrad is a youth-led organisation that advocates for human rights, education, and economic equality for marginalised communities, particularly in Sabah. The Bajau Laut people have been forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands due to coastal development projects and environmental conservation policies that fail to consider their rights and needs. These evictions have led to the loss of homes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage for the Bajau Laut, exacerbating their poverty and social displacement.
The most recent incidents of the Bajau Laut people’s displacement was a series of evictions that took place from 4 to 5 June on seven islands in Semporna, including Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat, and Pulau Sibuan.
By speaking out against forced evictions and advocating for the recognition of the Bajau Laut’s economic, social and cultural rights, Mukmin has become a target of harassment. This investigation against him is a stark reminder of how the Sedition Act has been weaponised to stifle dissent, suppress political opposition, and silence critical voices.
“The Sedition Act does not belong in a modern, democratic society. It is a relic designed to protect arbitrary interests rather than uphold justice or democratic principles. It must be abolished as promised in Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto,” said Nalini.
The Sedition Act 1948, is fundamentally incompatible with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution and international human rights standards, particularly the right to freedom of expression. Upholding freedom of expression is essential to addressing economic inequalities, and it is high time that Malaysia aligns its laws with international human rights standards.
For more information
Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer [email protected]