Malaysia has been ruled by one political party, the National Front coalition, for 58 consecutive years. A steely determination by the ruling elite to hold onto power at all costs has seen Malaysia plagued by issues of authoritarian rule, spiraling corruption, poor governance, race politics and worsening human rights violations. In May 2013, Malaysia’s 13th [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 8 April 2015) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemned the Malaysian government for reintroducing detention without trial through the hasty passing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (POTA) by the Lower House of the Parliament on 6 April 2015 and for proposing amendments to the Sedition Act, which [ Read more ]

28th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Oral Statement Delivered by Pornpen Khongkachonkiet on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Tuesday, 17 March 2015 Mr President, FORUM-ASIA expresses concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in a number of Asian countries. We draw this Council’s attention to the increasing [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 6 March 2015) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) today urged the Malaysian government to ensure that the “Kita Lawan” rally tomorrow (7 March 2015), organised by the opposition and civil society groups to express solidarity with opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, will be allowed to [ Read more ]

Link to the open letter (Bangkok, 27 February 2015) – The human rights community in Asia has raised concern over the continued crackdown on freedom of expression in Malaysia, in an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Malaysia and signed by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) together with 23 [ Read more ]

Dato’ Sri Mohammad Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak Prime Minister of Malaysia Office of the Prime Minister Main Block, Perdana Putra Building Federal Government Administrative Centre 62502 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA Via facsimile: +60-3-8888-3444 27 February 2015 Malaysia: Stop Arrests and Harassment on Those who Exercise Their Constitutional and Internationally-Recognised Right to Freedom of Expression Mr. Prime [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 12 February 2015) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the decision of the Malaysian Federal Court to uphold the conviction of Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy under Article 377B of the Malaysian Penal Code. The decision and five year sentence against the opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 9 February 2015) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) reiterated its call for the Federal Court to acquit Malaysia’s opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, whose appeal against his conviction for sodomy under Article 377B of the Malaysian Penal Code will be decided by the Federal Court [ Read more ]

(Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok, 6 November 2014) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), together with its member Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), welcomed yesterday’s judgment by the High Court to refer a law professor’s challenge of the constitutionality of the Sedition Act 1948 directly to the country’s highest judicial body, the Federal Court of [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 28 October 2014) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), has joined the chorus of calls by both Malaysians and the international community for the Malaysian judiciary to ensure a fair trial for opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, in today’s Appeal hearing against his conviction for sodomy under Article 377B of the [ Read more ]