Enact laws to protect human rights defenders, Asean MPs tell M’sian govt

MPs from Southeast Asia today urged the Anwar Ibrahim-led administration to repeal repressive laws in Malaysia and legislate a bill that protects human rights defenders.

In a press conference this morning, the leadership of Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said Malaysia should take the lead in championing human rights in the region, which had seen repressive laws being abused against activists and MPs for criticising the government.

APHR co-chairperson Charles Santiago said there is an opportunity present for Malaysia to take on the role - with the country having a new government led by Anwar, whom himself had experienced laws being abused to oppress him when the PKR president was an opposition leader...