JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT 2 JULY 2021

CIJ, FFN AND PARTNERS STRONGLY CONDEMN RAIDS 

AGAINST FILMMAKER AND ARTIST

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Freedom Film Network (FFN) and partners are appalled by and strongly condemn ongoing efforts by the police to intimidate and persecute Freedom Film Network (FFN) and animator/artist, Amin Landak over the animated film, “Chilli Powder and Thinner”. The film illustrates the true story of a boy’s testimony of being tortured while being in police custody. FFN co-founder Anna Har and Amin went to the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman at 2.30pm today to have their statements taken in connection with the film. They finished giving their statements to the police and left Bukit Aman at about 4.10pm. Nevertheless, the police raided the FFN office and Amin’s home all the same.

The Malaysian police are clearly on a rampage against FFN over the animated short film, which depicts police officers torturing and abusing individuals in custody in Malaysia. This investigation, and related raid, contributes to a broader pattern of authorities attempting to quell allegations of police misconduct. Police brutality and abuse of power have been topics of heated discussion online, but authorities routinely silence such discourse by threatening individuals with a criminal investigation.

Retaliatory investigations against human rights defenders, artists and journalists for raising attention to violations of basic human rights show the dire need to protect freedom of expression and ensure police officers in Malaysia are held accountable for any instances of misconduct. The police must be open to public scrutiny and the demand for transparency, while adherence to rule of law must always be upheld. Initiating an investigation merely on the account that a particular incident negatively portrays the police is unwarranted and a serious violation of our constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and speech.

We, therefore, call for the following measures to be adopted by the State:

● Drop all investigations and stop all acts of intimidation and adverse actions against Anna Har, FFN, Amin Landak, whistleblowers, and others associated with the animated short film;

● Establish the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), with no further delays, so that police accountability and professionalism is always upheld.

It is incumbent on the government to ensure that they act now and not be complicit in allowing freedom of expression and speech and artistic freedom in Malaysia to be censored or penalised, and where artists and filmmakers operate within a climate of fear. If this practice is not halted, our democracy will be at threat and political priorities will continue to prevail over the public interest.

2 July 2021

Issued by: Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Freedom Film Network

Endorsed by the following organisations with common interest in promoting FoE:

1. Amnesty International Malaysia

2. C4 Center

3. Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM)

4. Justice for Sisters

5. KRYSS Network

6. Sisters in Islam

7. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) 

8. Agora Society Malaysia 

9. Aliran 

10. Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) 

11. Angkatan Mahasiswa UM 

12. Association of Women Lawyers (AWL) 

13. Baramkini 

14. Beyond Architecture Outlet (BAO) 

15. Beyond Borders Malaysia 

16. Citizens against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED) 

17. Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) 

18. Demokrat Kebangsaan 

19. Demokrat UKM 

20. Demokrat UM 

21. Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody (EDICT) 

22. EMPOWER Malaysia 

23. ENGAGE 

24. Family Frontiers Malaysia 

25. Five Arts Centre 

26. Function 8 Singapore 

27. Gerakan Mahasiswa Maju UPM 

28. Jaringan Hak Asasi Manusia (JHAM) 

29. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) 

30. Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) 

31. KLSCAH Youth 

32. Malaysia Muda 

33. Monsoon Malaysia 

34. New Naratif 

35. North South Initiative 

36. Our Journey 

37. Pangrok Sulap

38. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK) 

39. Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) 

40. Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur 

41. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita, Selangor (Friends of Women Organisation, Selangor) 

42. Pertubuhan Solidaritas 

43. PeSAWAH 

44. Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR) 

45. Pusat KOMAS

46. Ruang Kongsi (Penang) 

47. Sabah Human Rights Centre 

48. Sabah Law Society Subcommittee on Human Rights 

49. Sabah Reform Initiative (SARI) 

50. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) 

51. Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All Sabah (SERATA) 

52. Student Progressive Front UUM 53. Student Unity Front UKM 

54. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) 55. Svara 56. Tenaganita 

57. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy 

58. Terabai Kenyalang Heritage Association of Sarawak (TKHAS) 

59. The 14% Project 

60. Think Centre 

61. Tindak Malaysia 

62. UMANY 

63. Undi 18 

64. Waroeng Baru 

65. WITNESS

Individuals:

1. Andrew Khoo 

2. Benazir Japiril Bandaran 

3. Beverly Joeman 

4. Chen Yoke Pin 

5. Devaruban Samalam Ruban 

6. Elroi Yee 

7. Farida Mohammad 

8. Hui Yein 

9. Janet Pillai 

10. Julien Chen Lip Syn 

11. Kenneth Cheng 

12. Lim Kye Lee 

13. Mark Teh 

14. Nafeesa Mat Ali 

15. Okui Lala 

16. Risya 

17. Sarah 

18. S. M. Muthu 

19. Simon Soon 

20. Wong Chin Huat 

21. Wong Tay Sy 

22. Wong Yan Kee 

23. Yolanda Augustin 

24. Zaharom Nain

The Centre for Independent Journalism is a freedom of expression watchdog and non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just, and free where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.