"These vindictive charges against Maria are clearly politically-motivated and should be dropped immediately. The authorities in Malaysia are trying to punish those who voice their opposition peacefully and create an overall climate of fear to deter other activists from doing the same," Amnesty International's South East Asia campaigns director Josef Benedict said.
"Instead of listening to the people who demonstrated at the Bersih 4 rally, the Malaysian government is doing everything in its power to increase repression further."
Amnesty International in its statement released today also pointed out how the charges against Maria and Lasimbang came in the context of a widening crackdown on freedom of expression in Malaysia over the past two years.
"The authorities have, in particular, made use of the Sedition Act, a draconian colonial-era law that gives the government sweeping powers to silence dissent," Benedict said.
"The government's relentless effort to silence anyone who voices critical opinions of the state is incredibly alarming, and shows no sign of letting up. This must end immediately – space for public debate in Malaysia is under serious threat," Benedict said.
Najib had in 2012 pledged to repeal the Sedition Act 1948, but made a U-turn at the Umno general assembly in December last year and announced that the law would instead be fortified.
A number of people, mostly opposition leaders and academicians, have been arrested and charged with sedition.
Cover image via Channel News Asia
