Government urged to stop crushing dissent

Centre for Independent Journalism

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned about the arrests of protesters who attempted to march to the royal palace on 7 March. The protesters want the national language to be used to teach all subjects in national schools. 

According to a report from local newspapers, 124 were arrested. Police fired tear gas at the protesters, numbering between 5 and 10 thousand, as they started their march to the palace to submit a memorandum. Roadblocks had been erected on major roads leading to the capital as part of police's effort to stop the protest.

CIJ is concerned at the police action against the group, known as the Movement for the Abolition of the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English, (Malay acronym GMP). Maths and science have been taught in English since 2002, a policy which recently came up for review. The authorities' response to the protest shows that they are silencing public criticism, rather than responding to community concern. Rather than illustrating the government's ability to explain its stance, the crackdown will cause further discontent with the government's handling of this issue.

While the police allowed the submission of the memorandum to the palace by national laureate A. Samad Said, the police action is uncalled for and a violation of freedom of speech and assembly.

We ask the police to release those arrested and the government to engage in constructive efforts to explain, revise or abolish, instead of going after those who raise the criticism against the policy. Exercise of freedom of expression should be treated as a check and balance mechanism in democracy instead of as criminal activity.

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.