Human rights in M’sia: ‘A tale of two Najibs’

Malaysia in 2013 was marked by Najib promising legal reforms before the GE and restoring repressive laws after it.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government backtracked significantly on human rights after the May 2013 general election returned the ruling coalition to power with a significantly smaller majority, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2014.

The passage of new repressive laws, arrests of opposition activists, and greater repression of political speech marked the apparent end to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razaks proclaimed reform agenda.

Malaysia in 2013 was marked by a tale of two Najibs promising legal reforms before the election and restoring repressive laws after it, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Since May the government has cracked down on basic rights, curtailed free speech, and charged activists for organizing peaceful protests.

In the 667-page world report, its 24th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries.

Syrias widespread killings of civilians elicited horror but few steps by world leaders to stop it, Human Rights Watch said.

A reinvigorated doctrine of responsibility to protect seems to have prevented some mass atrocities in Africa.

Majorities in power in Egypt and other countries have suppressed dissent and minority rights. And Edward Snowdens revelations about US surveillance programs reverberated around the globe.

In Malaysia, previous progress on human rights was reversed by the passage of repressive new legislation, Human Rights Watch said.

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Human rights in M’sia: ‘A tale of two Najibs’