RAFIZI RAMLI THE POLITICIAN Rafizi Ramli, secretary-general of the People’s Justice Party (PKR, Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and Member of Parliament, is currently facing five different sedition investigations alongside other criminal charges for his political activities. Rafizi is best known for exposing financial scandals involving members of the government or those politically connected to them. He has also been an outspoken critic of government policy, particularly on economic matters. © Malaysiakini- Lim Huey Teng The numerous investigations Rafizi faces under the Sedition Act, as well as other laws, demonstrate how repressive laws of this kind are used to curb freedom of expression and harass critics of the government. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar then tweeted that Rafizi would be investigated under the Sedition Act, along with cartoonist Zunar and another opposition politician. The IGP claimed that the tweet was seditious in trying to make the public believe that the judges received payment. In May 2014, Rafizi was investigated for sedition over a book he authored entitled “Reforms 2.0: The Facts of Anwar Ibrahim's Case” (Reformasi 2.0: Fakta kes Anwar Ibrahim), which discussed the prosecution and trial of Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy. A month later, on 27 March 2015, police arrested Rafizi under the Sedition Act, for issuing a circular that called on supporters to attend the Kita Lawan (We Fight) rally to demand the release of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. He was later released on bail. Prior to this, Rafizi had been investigated under the Sedition Act in March 2014 for remarks against right-wing groups. This sedition investigation was later dropped and he was instead charged under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which is the “intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace”. Another arrest under the Sedition Act followed on 2 May 2015 for his participation in a 1 May peaceful protest critical of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). On 25 July 2014, Rafizi was investigated again for sedition over revealing the contents of a minister’s letter to Bank Rakyat. The letter purportedly requested preferential treatment for a politicallyconnected individual. Following the controversial Federal Court decision to uphold the conviction of then-opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy, Rafizi sent out a tweet on 10 February 2015 showing a judge in a black robe with dollar signs on his wig. The Rafizi Ramli has yet to be charged in any of these sedition cases, although he has been charged with offences under other ARRESTED ON 27 MARCH 2015 laws as a result of his whistleblowing activities, related to allegations of corruption by the GEDLY FORor the ALLEauthorities G A LETTER IN SU misuse of public funds. IS ON THAT CALLEDS TO R PPORTE However, even SU if these numerous cases ATTEND THE do not result in charges being N brought, LAWA LY a form KITAconstitutes their combined # effect FIGHT) RAL (WE harassment. of intimidation and He could face, for the first offence, up to three years imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding RM5,000 (USD1,130), and for subsequent offences, five years imprisonment. 8 Critical Crackdown: Freedom of Expression Under Attack in Malaysia Moreover, Under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution he could be disqualified from Parliament if sentenced to imprisonment for a term of one year and more, or to a fine of not less than RM2,000 (USD450). As several vocal opposition parliamentarians face investigations and possible prosecutions for sedition, there is concern among them that a conviction for sedition could thin their ranks in future elections. ARRESTED ON 27 MARCH 2015 R ALLEGEDLY FO ER TT LE A ISSUING ED ON LL A C AT TH TO SUPPORTERSE TH D N TE AT #KITALHAT)WRAALLNY (WE FIG ARRESTED FOR HIS PA ON 2 MAY 2 015 RTICIPATIO N IN A 1ST OF MAY PEACEFUL PROTEST CRITICAL O F THE GOO AND SERVIC ES TAX (GSDS T)