24 NOVEMBER 2020

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, urge the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate and the Attorney General’s Chambers to prosecute cyber thugs who post death and rape threats on members of the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY), which has come under a political witch hunt by certain quarters after a statement on the constitutional monarchy.

Our full position is as follows:

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy (Article 40 of the Federal Constitution). Opinions not questioning Article 181 (rulers’ sovereignty, etc) are constitutionally protected under Article 10 (freedom of speech, assembly and association)

Any parties who disagree with UMANY’s or any individual/organisation’s position on the roles of the rulers are free to express their disagreement with facts and logic, rigourously and civilly. However, no one should take try to silence UMANY or any individual or organisation with violence or threats of violence.

The death and rape threats posed to members of UMANY since 18 November, if carried out, would constitute domestic terrorism and damage rule of law in Malaysia. The police, the MCMC and the Attorney General’s Chambers must pursue and bring to justice the cyber thugs – potentially domestic terrorists like those who cause bloodshed in Sweden, New Zealand, the US and France – to protect both rule of law and ordinary Malaysians.

Death and rape threats targeting UMANY members in the name of royalism may have the opposite effect of tarnishing the international image of the rulers as well as that of Malaysia.

For the record, on 14 September 2019, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah had categorically denounced police’s arrest of a netizen for allegedly insulting her on social media. This was very positively reported by the BBC.

Inaction on the part of the authorities would lead to the perception that they endorse cyber-thuggery in the name of royalism, and this may make them complicit in any criminal actions carried out by these thugs and the ruining of the good reputation of the rulers and the country. This will not be acceptable for Malaysians.

Jointly issued by:
1. Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (Bersih 2.0)
2. Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM)
3. Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR)
4. ENGAGE
5. Agora Society
6. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
7. Baramkini
8. Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM)
9. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
10. Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED)
11. Global Bersih
12. Growing Emerging Leaders (GEL)
13. Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS)
14. Justice for Sisters
15. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
16. Liga Rakyat Demokratik
17. LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)
18. Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity (Maju)
19. Merdeka University Berhad (MUB)
20. Monsoons Malaysia
21. Muslim Professional Forum (MPF)
22. Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH)
23. Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI)
24. Partners of Community Organizations in Sabah (Pacos Trust)
25. Penyelidikan Sosio-Budaya Saudara (Saudara)
26. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK)
27. Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
28. Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor and KL
29. Persatuan Penduduk Petaling Jaya (MyPJ)
30. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
31. Pertubuhan Solidaritas
32. Pusat Komas (KOMAS)
33. Sabah Human Rights Centre (SHRC)
34. Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group (SAWO)
35. Sarawak Association For Peoples’ Aspiration (Sapa)
36. Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All (Serata)
37. Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham)
38. Sabah Reform Initiative (Sari)
39. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
40. TENAGANITA
41. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
42. Tindak Malaysia
43. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
44. United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong)
45. Voice of Youtharian
46. Student Unity Front UKM
47. Malaysia Youth and Students Evolution Melaka
48. Angkatan Mahasiswa UM
49. Demokrat UM
50. Suara Siswa UM
51. Presiden dan Setiausaha PKAUM
52. University of Malaya Students’ Union
53. Tunku Abdul Rahman Association New Youth (Tarany)
54. Youth of Tunku Abdul Rahman (Youtar)