Lawyers slam 'horrendous' crackdown on TikTokers as internet sees surge of public anger at Anwar government

The recent arrest of seven people, mostly for uploading TikTok videos critical of the "country's leaders", has been condemned by vocal rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), saying it is a police tactic to warn the public against criticising the government.

This comes as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government face increasing public criticism over a range of issues, including new conditions imposed on Malaysians to access fuel subsidies, as well as growing Muslim anger over the government's stance on the Palestinian conflict, the visit of Donald Trump and the recent conduct of ministers defending the serving of alcohol at an official function..

"It is even more horrendous that this government, helmed by Anwar Ibrahim, has allowed such blatant attacks on free speech under the very laws Anwar previously promised to repeal.

"Has the PM and his cohorts in Pakatan Harapan forgotten their promise to uphold free speech and the right to criticise the government?" asked LFL director Zaid Malek.

On Monday, police said seven men were arrested for posting videos deemed "seditious" and "insulting" towards the "country's leaders".

Six of them posted videos on TikTok, while another posted on Facebook, between Sept 17 and Oct 5.

They have been remanded and are being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Sections 504 and 505(b) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, all of which are laws frequently used to stifle online dissent.

Following this, police warned Malaysians that "any form of social media misuse or digital content that may incite sedition, threats, insults, or public alarm will not be tolerated".

Zaid reminded authorities that Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution guarantees the exercise of free speech and expression, including "criticisms and even ridicule of the PM".

"The government and its members are certainly not immune from criticism and ridicule, and it is far-fetched to claim that such actions are disruptive to public order warranting arrest and criminal investigation."

Zaid said the police announcement of the arrests was a warning to the public not to criticise the government and an attack on fundamental liberties.

"It was made as a show of strength and as an act of intimidation towards the general public from exercising their right of free speech. The government cannot sidestep responsibility for the actions of the police," he added.

He said the Pakatan Harapan government has repeatedly made promises that are "hollow words".

"They are instead responsible for the worsening state of civil liberties."