KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 13): The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), in a stongly worded statement today, decried the unprecedented crackdown on the freedom of expression which has seen at least 23 individuals detained or investigated in just under two months of the year.

It said that many of these investigations were carried out under the Sedition Act, which it described as a draconian piece of legislation that was “incredibly broad and can easily be used for selective prosecution and to silence those critical of the government”.

The CIJ said it was alarmed that the police were investigating statements that did not constitute direct and immediate threats to national security, public order or public morality.

It said these statements range from questioning the actions of government agencies such as the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) or the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) or seemingly innocuous tweets that mock the government.

“In the wake of the Federal Court decision upholding the conviction and five-year sentence against (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim, the police have become even more vigilant in shutting down any questions about the integrity and independence of the judiciary,” it said.

“We have deviated a long way from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's historic declaration on Sept 15, 2011 that the Internal Security Act would be abolished and Malaysia would increase civil liberties as it was necessary for our survival,” it said.

The CIJ said it appeared that the government was rolling back on Najib's historic promise, and trying instead to clamp down on dissent and criticism, allegedly to ensure the Barisan Nasional's continued hold on power.

“Rather than abolishing the Sedition Act as Najib promised, the government instead has announced that it intends to amend the Act to strengthen it.

“How this already draconian act can be amended to further curb freedom of expression is extremely worrying,” it stressed.

The CIJ said clamping down on critical voices and clinging on to power was a selfish and short-sighted move and would only bring detriment to all Malaysians.

“For us to function, let alone prosper, as a nation, there needs to be voices that can hold those in power to account. This will create a government that is more responsible, more efficient and less corrupt.

“CIJ calls on the government to put aside short-sighted measures and to act in the greater good - to stop its clampdown on the freedom of expression and to abide by the Federal Constitution and international standards of human rights law,” it said.

It sees the promise of increasing civil liberties as more of a false promise by the Barisan Nasional government to ensure its own survival.