SUARA Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has requested Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim set about repealing or reviewing legislation the group said were draconian or archaic in nature, with respect to civil liberties and human rights.

“It is high time that Malaysia steps out of the dark ages and into the era of matured politics, a people-centric approach, and good governance.

“A formidable majority in parliament is a mandate to be utilised for the good of the people, not an excuse to silence critics,” Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said.

According to the group, Anwar should abolish laws that enable punishment without judicial processes, including the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Prevention of Crime Act 1959 and Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015.

Sevan said the new government should push the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) bill through parliament, improve police accountability and establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry on torture and deaths in custody.

He said that, under the umbrella of freedom of expression, the government should repeal the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012; amend and limit the use of the Official Secrets Act 1972; delete section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA); and repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPP).

Moreover, Sevan said the government needs to identify, recognise, and legitimise the key role of human rights defenders as individuals or groups who act to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms through peaceful means.

Sevan said Suaram and civil society has supported these changes since the days of the Internal Security Act and the miscarriages of justice inflicted on many members of the current government.

Anwar Ibrahim, a long-time reformist, was appointed as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister last week. – November 29, 2022.