SUARAM has officially launched its Malaysia Human Rights Report 2024, offering a comprehensive and critical overview of the country’s ongoing human rights challenges. The event commenced with an opening speech by Azura Nasron and was followed by a detailed presentation of key findings by Jernell Tan.
The report highlights growing concerns in law enforcement, particularly with a rise in SOSMA-related detentions, police shootings, and custodial deaths. Freedom of expression continues to face increasing suppression, with record-high charges under the Sedition Act and tighter government control over online content. Meanwhile, freedom of assembly remains under pressure, as numerous protests, including youth-led movements have been investigated and curtailed.
In terms of institutional oversight, the report notes mixed progress: while there have been steps toward enhancing the Auditor-General’s independence, reforms in parliamentary governance remain stalled. The justice system has come under fire for controversial prosecutorial decisions and the controversial reduction of Najib Razak’s sentence, raising serious concerns about judicial integrity.
The report also sheds light on increasing restrictions on religious freedom, including stricter blasphemy laws and the expanded influence of Syariah law. Critical issues surrounding the rights of migrants and refugees, Orang Asli land disputes, and flaws in the death penalty resentencing process were also highlighted.
A special focus was placed on the forced eviction of the Bajau Laut community in Sabah, spotlighting ongoing Indigenous rights violations. SUARAM’s 2024 report provides an unflinching analysis of Malaysia’s human rights landscape, calling for urgent and robust reforms to address entrenched systemic issues and uphold fundamental freedoms for all.