At FORUM-ASIA, we employ a range of strategies to effectively achieve our goals and create a lasting impact.

Through a diverse array of approaches, FORUM-ASIA is dedicated to achieving our objectives and leaving a lasting imprint on human rights advocacy.

Who we work with

Our interventions are meticulously crafted and ready to enact tangible change, addressing pressing issues and empowering communities.

Each statements, letters, and publications are meticulously tailored, poised to transform challenges into opportunities, and to empower communities towards sustainable progress.

Multimedia Stories
publications

With a firm commitment to turning ideas into action, FORUM-ASIA strives to create lasting change that leaves a positive legacy for future generations.

Explore our dedicated sub-sites to witness firsthand how FORUM-ASIA turns ideas into action, striving to create a legacy of lasting positive change for future generations.

Subscribe our monthly e-newsletter

[Report] State of Disruption: Assessing the Impact of Malaysia’s COVID-19 Laws on Civic Space

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

This report, titled “State of Disruption: Assessing the Impact of Malaysia’s COVID-19 Laws on Civic Space,” is a collaborative effort between FORUM-ASIA, SUARAM and Pusat KOMAS. Following the footsteps of neighbouring governments, Malaysia’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) government enforced stringent measures in 2020 to combat the spread of COVID-19. These measures included targeted Movement Control Orders (MCO), followed by the declaration of a National State of Emergency on 12th January 2021, initially set to last until 1st August 2021. Regrettably, this period witnessed an aggravation of human rights violations and the suspension of parliamentary democracy, as the government aimed to retain its authority.

Throughout this period, the Emergency Ordinance introduced legal provisions that were excessively wide-ranging and failed to meet international human rights standards. These provisions were widely utilised against individuals who criticised the government’s management of the pandemic, resulting in police interrogations and significant penalties under the government’s repressive methods. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the impact of Malaysia’s COVID-19 laws not only on civic space but also on marginalised and vulnerable communities, as well as civil society organisations. It aims to shed light on the consequences of these laws and their implications for the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms in Malaysia.

Read the full report here