This week, S. Arutchelvan (Arul), the General Secretary of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) was arrested under the draconian Sedition Act for making comments about the trial of Anwar Ibrahim. Arul was released the next day. The PSM has been a strong advocate for workers in Malaysia especially around urban squatter rights, plantation workers and minimum wages. This is not the first time that members of PSM have been targeted by the Malaysian state. This arrest also has to be seen within the context of the increased use of the Sedition Act to stifle dissent in Malaysia.
This week, S. Arutchelvan (Arul), the General Secretary of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) was arrested under the draconian Sedition Act for making comments about the trial of Anwar Ibrahim. Arul was released the next day. The PSM has been a strong advocate for workers in Malaysia especially around urban squatter rights, plantation workers and minimum wages. This is not the first time that members of PSM have been targeted by the Malaysian state. This arrest also has to be seen within the context of the increased use of the Sedition Act to stifle dissent in Malaysia.
