Joint Media Statement (19 Groups) – 20/7/2024
* The statement was reported in Media - Focus Malaysia, Malaysiakini, etc
HRD Corp and/or the Minister of Human Resources should never have resorted to SLAPP suits against the media, journalists, and/or Human Rights Defenders in connection with the HRD Corp ‘Scandal’ as highlighted by the Auditor General and Parliament
- Enact Anti-SLAPP laws -
We, the undersigned 19 organizations and groups, are appalled that the Human Resource Development Corp (HRD Corp) has threatened legal action against The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd and one of its writers for alleged defamation. This pertains to their reporting on the findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Auditor General regarding the agency. The articles in question were titled: "PAC flags dubious property deals by HRD Corp," and "Frankly Speaking: Total breach of governance at HRD Corp."
This action can reasonably be considered a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), which aims to intimidate the media and deter them from fulfilling their duty of reporting on issues of public concern. It also serves as an attempt to stifle public participation and discussion on a matter of national interest affecting all Malaysians.
HRD Corp was established under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001. Section 3 of the Act states that the corporation's primary objective is the imposition and collection of a human resources development levy to promote the training and development of employees, apprentices, and trainees, as well as the establishment and administration of the Fund. The Minister of Human Resources, currently Steven Sim, is responsible for HRD Corp.
The Act states the composition of the Board of Directors, all appointed by the Minister, including representatives from employers, the government, the Ministry of Human Resources, the Ministry of Finance, and the Chief Executive. The Investment Panel, as stipulated by the Act, must include representatives from these same ministries and the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia).
Since 2017, however, there has been no representative from Bank Negara Malaysia in the investment panel, a violation of the Act. This absence renders all actions and decisions of the Investment Panel invalid. Consequently, any decisions or actions by the Board and/or HRD Corp relying on the Investment Panel are also invalid.
The Ministers of Human Resources and Finance, who should be aware of this breach, must be held accountable. The Act specifies that the Minister appoints the Officer in Charge and other authorized officers responsible for ensuring that HRD Corp operates in accordance with the law.
Further concerns arise from reports that PAC revealed misuse of funds, such as the Gerak Insan Gemilang (GIG) scheme under HRD Corp, which cost RM51.69 million and was attended multiple times by 3,727 participants, with some attending up to 16 times. This suggests an abuse of funds meant for the benefit of all workers, not just a select few.
While a normal company can act as its share holders please, a statutory body like HRD Corp must adhere to the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001. It is disconcerting that these issues were not highlighted by the Minister of Human Resources but by the Auditor General and the PAC.
Despite the findings, the Minister and HRD Corp are disputing the results and suggesting an independent audit. The findings of the Auditor General and PAC, however, should take precedence unless officially revised.
The Minister referred the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), but MACC’s jurisdiction is limited to investigating crimes under its purview. Issues of statutory non-compliance and the distribution of HRD training benefits highlighted by PAC should fall under the Ministry or Parliament’s responsibility.
Despite these serious issues, there has been no suspension or removal of the Chief Executive, Board members, or Investment Panel members of HRD Corp. Their continued presence poses a risk of evidence tampering or destruction.
It is crucial to recognize that the media brought these issues to light. Therefore, it is unacceptable for HRD Corp, with or without the Minister of Human Resources' approval, to threaten the media with defamation suits.
In this case, Steven Sim, the Minister responsible for HRD Corp, on 17/7/2024 was reported saying that he has instructed the withdrawal of the threat of legal action against The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd and its journalist. The withdrawal is good, but victims are entitled to an apology and an appropriate remedy.
We, the undersigned groups, call on all parties, including the government, government agencies and government linked corporations to NEVER again resort to threats or the use of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suits against the media, journalists, and/or Human Rights Defenders. Freedom of expression, opinion and the right to fight for one’s rights must never be stifled. Public discourse and scrutiny should never be stifled.
We call on Malaysia to enact anti-SLAPP laws to provide a remedy to SLAPP suits. Anti-SLAPP laws are intended to prevent people from using courts, and potential threats of a lawsuit, to intimidate people who are exercising their rights.
Charles Hector
Ng Yap Hwa
For and on behalf of the 19 groups listed below
ALIRAN
MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)
Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC), Malaysia
Cambodian League for the Promotion & Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO)
Haiti Action Committee
IDEAS (The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs), Malaysia
Labour Solidarity and Learning Resource Association (LLRC), Malaysia
Malaysian Action For Justice And Unity (MAJU)
North-South Initiative (NSI), Malaysia
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM)
Payday Men’s Network (UK/US)
Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
Sabah Timber Industry Employees’ Union (STIEU)
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia [SABM]
Singapore Anti Death Penalty Committee (SADPC)
WH4C (Workers Hub For Change)
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) Youth
Note: It was discovered that threats of legal suits were also sent to - The letter of demand withdrawn against The Malaysian Insight and The Vibes was over reports on audit findings critical of HRD Corp. ... letter of demand against freelance journalist M Krishnamoorthy
NGO grouping wants Steven Sim taken to task for HRD Corp’s financial irregularities
- By FocusM
- in Featured, Mainstream, Top
A GROUPING of 19 Malaysian NGOs wants both the Human Resources and Finance Ministers to be held accountable for breaches/irregularities in the Human Resource Development Corp (HRD) Corp accounts as exposed by the Auditor-General’s (A-G) Report 2/2024 and by the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
This is because the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Bhd (PSMB) Act 2001 specifies that the minister appoints the officer-in-charge and other authorised officers responsible for ensuring that HRD Corp operates in accordance with the law.
“While a normal company can act as its shareholders’ please, a statutory body like HRD Corp must strictly adhere to the PSMB Act 2001,” contended Charles Hector and Ng Yap Hwa who are spokesmen for the grouping of 19 NGOs.
“It is disconcerting that these issues were not highlighted by the HR Minister (Steven Sim Chee Keong) but by the A-G and the PAC.”
Worse, still, the NGO grouping pointed out that despite the A-G and PAC findings, Sim and HRD Corp “are disputing the results and suggesting an independent audit.”
“The findings of the A-G and PAC, however, should take precedence unless officially revised,” lamented the NGO grouping which comprised among others, ALIRAN, Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET), Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity (MAJU), Parti Rakyat Malaysia and the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) Youth.
“Despite these serious issues, there has been no suspension or removal of the CEO, board members or investment panel members of HRD Corp. Their continued presence poses a risk of evidence tampering or destruction.”
Earlier, the NGO grouping has lambasted the HRD Corp for threatening legal action against financial portal The Edge Communications and one of its writers for alleged defamation in two published articles entitled “PAC Flags Dubious Property Deals by HRD Corp,” and “Frankly Speaking: Total Breach of Governance at HRD Corp”.
“This action can reasonably be considered a SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) which aims to intimidate the media and deter them from fulfilling their duty of reporting on issues of public concern,” asserted the NGO grouping.
“It also serves as an attempt to stifle public participation and discussion on a matter of national interest affecting all Malaysians.”
However, the said letter of demand was retracted barely 24 hours
later at the instruction of Sim with PA chairwoman Datuk Mas Ermieyati
Samsudin, having expressed shock over HRD Corp’s action to o obstruct The Edge’s role as media practitioner and potentially undermine the PAC’s credibility. – July 20, 2024, Focus Malaysia
This pertains to their reporting on the findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the auditor-general regarding the agency. The articles in question were titled: “PAC flags dubious property deals by HRD Corp” and “Frankly speaking: Total breach of governance at HRD Corp”.
This action can reasonably be considered a Slapp (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), which aims to intimidate the media and deter them from fulfilling their duty of reporting on issues of public concern.
It also serves as an attempt to stifle public participation and discussion on a matter of national interest affecting all Malaysians.
HRD Corp was established under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001.
Section 3 of the Act states that the corporation’s primary objective is the imposition and collection of a human resources development levy to promote the training and development of employees, apprentices, and trainees, as well as the establishment and administration of the fund.
The human resources minister, currently Steven Sim, is responsible for HRD Corp.
The Act states the composition of the board of directors, all appointed by the minister, including representatives from employers, the government, the Human Resources Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the chief executive.
The investment panel, as stipulated by the Act, must include representatives from these same ministries and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
Since 2017, however, there has been no representative from BNM in the investment panel, a violation of the Act. This absence renders all actions and decisions of the investment panel invalid. Consequently, any decisions or actions by the board and/or HRD Corp relying on the investment panel are also invalid.
HR, finance ministers must be accountable
The human resources and finance ministers, who should be aware of this breach, must be held accountable. The Act specifies that the minister appoints the officer-in-charge and other authorised officers responsible for ensuring that HRD Corp operates in accordance with the law.
Further concerns arose from reports in which PAC revealed misuse of funds, such as the Gerak Insan Gemilang (GIG) scheme under HRD Corp, which cost RM51.69 million and was attended multiple times by 3,727 participants, with some attending up to 16 times. This suggests an abuse of funds meant for the benefit of all workers, not just a select few.
While a normal company can act as its shareholders please, a statutory body like HRD Corp must adhere to the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001. It is disconcerting that these issues were not highlighted by the human resources minister but by the auditor-general and the PAC.
Despite the findings, the minister and HRD Corp are disputing the results and suggesting an independent audit. The findings of the auditor-general and PAC, however, should take precedence unless officially revised.
The minister referred the matter to the MACC, but the MACC’s jurisdiction is limited to investigating crimes under its purview. Issues of statutory non-compliance and the distribution of HRD training benefits highlighted by PAC should fall under the ministry or Parliament’s responsibility.
Despite these serious issues, there has been no suspension or removal of the chief executive, board members, or investment panel members of HRD Corp. Their continued presence poses a risk of evidence tampering or destruction.
Unacceptable for HRD Corp to sue media
It is crucial to recognise that the media brought these issues to light. Therefore, it is unacceptable for HRD Corp, with or without the human resources minister’s approval, to threaten the media with defamation suits.
In this case, Minister Sim, responsible for HRD Corp, on July 17 was reported as saying that he had instructed the withdrawal of the threat of legal action against The Edge and its journalist. The withdrawal is good, but victims are entitled to an apology and an appropriate remedy.
We, the undersigned groups, call on all parties, including the government, government agencies and government-linked corporations to never again resort to threats or the use of Slapp suits against the media, journalists, and/or human rights defenders.
Freedom of expression, opinion and the right to fight for one’s rights must never be stifled. Public discourse and scrutiny should never be stifled.
We call on Malaysia to enact anti-Slapp laws to provide a remedy to Slapp suits. Anti-Slapp laws are intended to prevent people from using courts, and potential threats of a lawsuit, to intimidate people who are exercising their rights.
Signed by:
Aliran
Madpet (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)
Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (Bopimafo)
Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (Coac)
Cambodian League for the Promotion & Defence of Human Rights (Licadho)
Haiti Action Committee
The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas)
Labour Solidarity and Learning Resource Association (LLRC)
Malaysian Action For Justice and Unity (Maju)
North-South Initiative (NSI)
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM)
Payday Men’s Network, UK/US
Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
Sabah Timber Industry Employees’ Union (STIEU)
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia)
Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
Singapore Anti Death Penalty Committee (SADPC)
Workers Hub For Change (WH4C)
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) Youth
CHARLES HECTOR is a spokesperson for the group Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet).
NG YAP HWA is the assistant secretary of the Labour Solidarity and Learning Resource Association (LLRC). - Malaysiakini, 20/7/2024
Photo by Patrick Goh/The Edge
KUALA LUMPUR (July 16): The Human Resource Development Corp (HRD Corp) has threatened to take legal action against The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd and one of its writers for alleged defamation over reporting on the findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the auditor general about the agency.
In a letter of demand sent on its behalf by the law firm Amrit & Company, HRD Corp accused the media company of having "unfairly, deliberately, maliciously, recklessly published and in bad faith (malice) misquoted, sensationalised and misinterpreted the findings made by the National Audit Department" in two of its articles, which carried the headlines: 'PAC flags dubious property deals by HRD Corp', and 'Frankly Speaking: Total breach of governance at HRD Corp'.
In the first article published on July 4, The Edge reported that the PAC had flagged several dubious property deals at HRD Corp, including the purchase of a RM154 million building without the approval of its board. The article quoted the PAC's report on the same day about the matter.
It also quoted PAC chairperson Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin as saying that there had not been a consistent procedural standard process for the approval of property acquisitions by HRD Corp, and that HRD Corp's board of directors was not given the complete documents for some property purchase transactions.
The second article, published in The Edge Malaysia weekly for the week of July 8 to 14, discussed how HRD Corp had come under scrutiny for questionable investments and property purchases, based on the findings and conclusions of both the PAC and the AG, and what some of those transactions involved.
HRD Corp, in its letter of demand, claimed the articles were designed to malign the agency and its officials, and that they had exposed HRD Corp and its officials and employees to "odium, ridicule, contempt and public scandal which has undoubtedly tarnished the professional reputation of HRD Corp" and its appointed officials and employees.
It said the articles suggested that HRD Corp had failed its audit, mishandled its funds, made decisions that did not follow procedures, and did not protect its own interests to achieve its objectives.
"Our client states that the impugned statements (reports) are false, misguided and misleading," the law firm said, adding that the reports were made without verification with HRD Corp.
HRD Corp claimed that it never failed its audit, mishandled its funds, or breached any procedures in safeguarding its investments and objectives.
It said all its investments were undertaken by its investment panel in accordance with the Human Resources Development Fund Act 2001, and that they were documented and recorded in accordance with standard required procedures and good governance. It also said its investment panel is not duty bound to report its investment decisions to the board of directors, that it had not breached any rules of governance, and that it does not engage in criminal and/or corrupt practices.
"Bank Negara Malaysia had through a letter dated July 12, 2010 decided to withdraw its representative from HRD Corp’s investment panel...HRD Corp did not breach any rules of governance in relation to its investments. Section 50 of the Human Resources Development Fund Act 2001 provides that HRD Corp can refer to the minister in charge for matters pertaining to investments," the agency said.
HRD Corp wants the articles to be removed, and a formal written apology to be published in two English dailies and The Edge's own website within 48 hours of the date of the letter. It also wants damages for the alleged grievances it claimed it suffered.
The Edge,
meanwhile, stands by its articles that quoted the findings of the PAC
and the AG, and will vigorously defend any suits that HRD Corp may file
against it, said The Edge Media Group chief executive officer and
publisher Datuk Ho Kay Tat, adding that issues surrounding HRD Corp are
of public interest as they involve money belonging to employers and
employees of the country. - Edge, 16/7/2024
UPDATED 3.30PM | Added letter of demand to freelance journalist retracted.
The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has withdrawn its letter of demand against two news portals.
The letter of demand withdrawn against The Malaysian Insight and The Vibes was over reports on audit findings critical of HRD Corp.
“We are instructed by HRD Corp to retract the said letter of demand on July 15,” law firm Amrit & Company said, as reported by The Vibes.
Petra News owns both TMI and The Vibes.
On Tuesday, it was reported that HRD Corp was threatening to sue The Edge over its reports on the matter.
Like The Edge, the company had wanted TMI to remove its articles on the audit report and issue an apology.
However, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim announced yesterday that he had instructed HRD Corp to withdraw the letter of demand against The Edge, citing media freedom.
HRD Corp has come under scrutiny after a report by the National Audit Department flagged the company for mismanaging hundreds of millions of ringgit in training grants, investments, and property purchases.
It is unclear as of writing whether the letter of demand against freelance journalist M Krishnamoorthy over the same issue has also been dropped.
When contacted by Malaysiakini
later today, a counsel for the law firm confirmed that they have
retracted the legal letter against Krishnamoorthy, as instructed by HRD
Corp. - Malaysiakini, 18/7/2024
HR Minister orders HRD corp to withdraw suit against media company
- Nation
-
Wednesday, 17 Jul 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has retracted its letter of demand against The Edge over an allegedly defamatory article.
“I disagree with the move to sue the media because I believe in media freedom.
“Once I got that information, I ordered HRD corp to retract the summons on Wednesday (July 17),” Human Resources Minister Sim said during a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday (July 17).
The Edge had cried foul after HRD Corp sent a letter of demand on July 16 over two articles it published on July 4 and 8, respectively.
The Edge
claimed that the HRD corps letter alleged that the media company had
“unfairly, deliberately, maliciously, recklessly published and in bad
faith misquoted, sensationalised and misinterpreted the findings made by
the National Audit Department". - Star, 17/7/2024
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim told a press conference on Wednesday that he had instructed Human Resources Development Corp (HRD Corp) to retract the letter of demand to the company which publishes The Edge Malaysia weekly and theedgemalaysia.com upon learning of the matter, saying he disagreed with HRD Corp's action.
KUALA LUMPUR (July 17): The Edge Media Group has expressed its appreciation to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for intervening to stop Human Resources Development Corp (HRD Corp) from suing the media company over its reports on the lapses in governance at the agency that manages billions of ringgit in money collected from employers.
The Edge's publisher and chief executive officer Datuk Ho Kay Tat said there was no malice in their reporting on HRD Corp following the recent release of both the PAC and auditor general's reports on the agency, and that The Edge was prepared to defend any suit HRD Corp had threatened to file against it.
Nonetheless, The Edge was happy that HRD Corp had since dropped the matter after being directed to do so by Sim, he said, noting that HRD Corp had retracted the letter of demand it issued to the media company, according to a notice sent by the law firm acting on its behalf, Amrit & Company, on Wednesday.
In the now-retracted letter of demand, HRD Corp had threatened legal action against The Edge and one of its journalists for alleged defamation related to its reporting on the PAC and auditor general's findings concerning the agency. It had accused the media company of unfairly, deliberately, and maliciously misquoting, sensationalising, and misinterpreting findings by the National Audit Department in two articles: PAC flags dubious property deals by HRD Corp and Frankly Speaking: Total breach of governance at HRD Corp.
HRD Corp claimed the articles were intended to defame the agency and its officials, exposing them to public scorn and damaging their professional reputations. The demand letter insisted on the removal of the articles, a formal written apology published in two English dailies and The Edge's website within 48 hours, and sought damages for alleged harm suffered.
In a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Sim said he had instructed the agency to retract the letter of demand to the company which publishes The Edge Malaysia weekly and theedgemalaysia.com upon learning of the matter, saying he disagreed with HRD Corp's action.
"I completely disagree with the decision to pursue legal action against the media, as I firmly uphold the freedom of the press. This has been my principle even before we came into government," Sim said.
PAC chairwoman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who expressed shock over HRD Corp's actions, had also told HRD Corp to retract its letter.
She said the committee viewed HRD Corp's actions as an effort to obstruct The Edge's role as media practitioners and potentially undermine the PAC's credibility. She had also called on the board of directors of HRD Corp to be held accountable for having threatened to sue The Edge over its reporting on the committee's findings and those of the auditor general's.
"We demand explanations from the Human Resources Ministry and HRD Corp's board of directors regarding these actions. The board must be held accountable for these actions," she told a separate press conference on Wednesday.
She also stressed that HRD Corp is a company limited by guarantee and subject to the Companies Act 2016, as well as the Human Resources Development Act 2001. "The levy collected by HRD Corp is taxpayers' money, and it is the duty of the PAC to ensure that it is managed in accordance with the law," she was reported as saying.
"HRD Corp is not a private company funded by private money. It is funded by taxpayers and collects billions in levy from employers meant for workers' training. Its operations must therefore be subject to scrutiny, including by the media," said Ho.
"We thank
YB Sim and the PAC for their support and appreciation of the role
played by the media in highlighting issues of public interest," he
added. - Edge, 17/7/2024
Anti-SLAPP law gets final seal of approval from EU Parliament
Nathalie Weatherald
Editor
Location: Prague
Languages: English
Expertise: EU affairs, migration
Location Expertise: UK
The European Parliament approved with an overwhelming majority a law protecting journalists and human rights advocates from abusive legal proceedings designed to stifle freedom of speech, marking the end of a six-year push to get the law across the line.
The directive, approved in plenary on Tuesday (27 February), sets a minimum standard for protecting media and public watchdogs from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) across the EU.
The final text includes provisions on early dismissal of manifestly unfounded cases, a broad definition of what constitutes a ‘cross-border’ case, and provides for compensatory damages for the defendant.
“Journalism, activism, and other types of public participation will finally be protected from baseless, costly, and time-consuming lawsuits,” Flutura Kusari, who advocated for the law as part of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE), wrote on X.
EU institutions reached a political agreement on the directive in November.
“Despite strong divergences between the Council and the Parliament’s position, we managed to ensure that this directive goes beyond mere procedural aspects and duly reflects the broader impact and context of these cases,” the Parliament’s rapporteur for the directive, social democrat Tiemo Wölken, told journalists at the time.
The Anti-SLAPP Directive is colloquially known as Daphne’s Law, named after Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia who was assassinated in 2017 and faced over 40 lawsuits at the time of her death.
For the past six years, the foundation created under her name has campaigned for better protections for journalists facing lawsuits designed to drain the time and financial resources of defendants.
While no comprehensive EU-wide data exists on the prevalence of such cases, in large part due to varying definitions of what constitutes a SLAPP, research by CASE identified Malta, France, Croatia, Greece and Slovenia as having a notable number of such lawsuits.
CASE welcomed the European Parliament’s adoption, stating that the responsibility now lies with member states to build on the foundation of the EU directive and the Council of Europe’s upcoming recommendation on SLAPPs to draft effective national legislation.
EU countries will have until 2026 to implement the directive.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic] - EURACTIV, 27/2/2024
UK: RSF supports calls for amendments to proposed anti-SLAPP bill to better protect journalists against abuses of law
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) supports calls made by the House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee for the UK government to make crucial amendments to an anti-SLAPP bill making its way through parliament. Passing the bill without changes could end up undermining efforts to protect journalists against such abuses of law.
The
UK parliament is currently considering a standalone law aimed at
countering lawsuits and legal intimidation that seek to silence
journalists, known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation or
SLAPPs. The bill, introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by Wayne David
MP, is one of several measures underway to strengthen protections for
journalists and others targeted by SLAPPs. ....
Pennsylvania expands protections against frivolous suits aimed at curtailing free speech
by Sarah Nicell for Spotlight PA |
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians have new protections against lawsuits meant to silence public expression under a bill Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law this week.
Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are often filed against people or groups who criticize corporations or governments. The person or entity behind a SLAPP suit can cite defamation or privacy violations as their reason for suing, even if their real goal is intimidation or draining the defendant’s funds with legal fees.....Spotlight PA,19/7/2024
Business and Human Rights - one thing that need to be done in Malaysia is the enactment of Anti-SLAPP laws
The UN Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations and other business en-
terprises (UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights/UNWG) is mandated by the Hu-
man Rights Council to promote the effective and comprehensive implementation of the UN Guid-
ing Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).1 ....Enacting anti-SLAPP legislation to ensure that human rights defenders are not subjected to civil liability for their activities. - see Guidance on National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights -
UN Working Group on Business and Human Right
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