CHARGING a refugee activist over a Facebook post describing conditions in an immigration detention centre makes a mockery of Malaysia’s bid for a seat on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, a lawyer said.

New Sin Yew, who represented Refuge for the Refugees founder Heidy Quah who was charged today, said the 27-year-old’s prosecution was a violation of freedom of speech and expression.

“Hence, we will be challenging this charge in court and we will also be challenging the constitutionality of Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, especially those words ‘offensive and annoying’,” New told reporters outside the Cyber Crimes Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

He was referring to the law under which Quah is alleged to have committed the offence of misusing the internet to post content that is “obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person”.

“All this is even more amazing, especially when Malaysia is lobbying for a seat on the UN human rights council,” he said.

“Rather than addressing the real problem in detention centres, the authorities are trying to shut out activists who are speaking the truth.”

Malaysia has submitted its bid to the UN for a seat on the council for the 2022-2024 term.

Quah was brought to court over a Facebook post she wrote on June 5 last year detailing the experiences of a detainee at an immigration detention centre.

The post appeared at a time the authorities were rounding up undocumented migrants as a measure to curb Covid-19 infections.

Quah told reporters outside the court that the authorities should be working with refugee activists and civil society groups to help these communities get the Covid-19 vaccine, rather than clamping down on criticism.

“There is a very xenophobic atmosphere now for the refugee community, especially since pandemic. These communities often live in a lot of fear.”

Since Kuala Lumpur and Selangor will begin walk-in Covid-19 vaccination starting August 1 for those who have not received appointments, Quah said the authorities should find ways to ease refugees’ fears and help them come forward for inoculation.

“The government should collaborate with non-governmental organisations as refugees have more trust in them,” she said.

Showing support at the court today were Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh and Kg Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei. 

“The move against Quah is a sign that the government is trying to silence young people who try to speak up. Without Quah and her team looking out for minorities, the situation on the ground could be far worse,” said Yeoh. – July 27, 2021.