The Malaysian constitution provides for a degree of freedom of the press. As with all other countries, this freedom is not entirely unlimited. In the last several years there has been significant conflict and controversy over government actions that have resulted in charges and incarcerations of Malaysian journalists and political opponents.
Many of these conflicts have revolved around the government's application of the 1948 Sedition Act. This act makes criminal any sort of behavior that might cause someone to feel “hatred” or “contempt” for the Malaysian government or constitution.
Some of the controversy around the Sedition Act comes from the fact that Prime Minister Najib Razak had pledged earlier to back a repeal effort of the act. Since reneging on his promise, Malaysia has seen a number of its journalists and members of opposition political parties tried and jailed under the terms of the Sedition Act.
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