Halt the tabling of the repressive amendments to the Communi...

DECEMBER 3 -- ARTICLE 19 and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) are deeply concerned by the proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, which underwent the first reading in Parliament on 2 December 2024. As drafted, these amendments violate rights to freedom of expression and privacy, protected under international human rights law and Malaysia's Federal Constitution. Furthermore, we are concerned about the lack of comprehensive and meaningful consultation with all stakeholders, including civil society organisations. We call for the immediate withdrawal of the amendments. ARTICLE 19 and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) find the regressive amendments are inconsistent with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution as well as Section 3(3) of the CMA, which clearly states that "nothing in the CMA shall be construed as permitting the censorship of...