Investigations into human rights activists and government critics, mass raids against undocumented migrants and the pushback of refugee boats contributed to a deterioration of human rights. LGBTI people continued to face discrimination while Indigenous communities remained under threat from logging...

The Selangor Forestry Department has not responded to the more than 45,000 objections from Indigenous peoples, Malaysian citizens and local representatives to the proposed removal of “forest reserve” status of over 930 hectares of ancestral land customarily owned by the largely Temuan Indigenous...

On 2 October 2020, five activists who were charged for “unauthorised gathering” were granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) by the Ipoh Magistrate. The charges stemmed from the activists’ participation in a peaceful picket on 2 June 2020 by a government hospital cleaners’ union...

Five activists continue to face charges after participating in a peaceful picket against a hospital cleaning services company in June 2020. The picket drew attention to the alleged unfair treatment of union members and insufficient personal protective equipment for cleaners. Police arrested,...

On 2 June 2020, Malaysian police dispersed a peaceful picket against a hospital cleaning services company. The workers’ complaints included alleged unfair treatment of union members by the company and insufficient personal protective equipment for cleaners. Police arrested, detained and charged...

More than 930 hectares of ancestral land customarily claimed by the largely Temuan Indigenous community in western Malaysia is at risk of having its status as a ‘forest reserve’ removed, resulting in some 1,000 Indigenous people being dispossessed of their land for development projects. The...

Hassan al-Kontar has been granted asylum and arrived in Canada on 26 November 2018 after having been stranded in Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia for about seven months. Arrested on 1 October for being in a “forbidden area” of the airport, Malaysian authorities initially considered...

Syrian refugee Hassan al-Kontar is at imminent risk of deportation to Syria, following his arrest on 1 October at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia where he had been stranded since March. If the deportation goes ahead he will be at risk of grave human rights abuse.

Khalid Mohd Ismath, former prisoner of conscience, has had all charges against him dropped. Arrested on 13 October 2015 and released on bail later that same month, Khalid Mohd Ismath has faced court proceedings, including hearings that were often postponed, for nearly three years. Following the...

Indigenous human rights defenders face sustained intimidation and threats of physical violence in light of their continuing efforts to protect their land. Incidents of harassment by a private company developing plantation projects have been reported by the community to local police.

The Malaysian police have officially closed all investigations into Maria Chin Abdullah, who was detained under security laws for organizing a rally on free and fair elections. Placed in solitary confinement for ten days in November 2016, she was released on 28 November 2016 and she has continued...

Human rights defender and lawyer Siti Kasim has been charged with “obstruction” in connection with a raid on a transgender event held in April 2016. She could face up to two years in prison or a maximum fine of RM10,000 (USD 2,331) or both, if convicted.

Yong Kar Mun was executed at 5.30 am on 24 May 2017 at Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor, Malaysia. Contrary to international standards, Yong Kar Mun’s family was not provided adequate notice of the scheduled execution. An unnamed man was also executed on the same day.