While the use of the Sedition Act 1948 has decreased, cases involving the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) have seen a steady rise this year.

This is according to Suaram’s Human Rights Report 2017 overview, that was launched today at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

The report states that the restriction on freedom of expression in Malaysia "took a turn" this year, with prosecutions under CMA on the rise.

“With the application the Sedition Act relegated to the back seat by the authorities, arrests, detentions and prosecutions made in relation to freedom of expression have largely fallen under the CMA and other laws...