Statements and Open Letters with JAG / Other Civil Society Organisations

Projek30% tracked the results of the Sabah elections as well as other historical federal and state elections to examine how women are under-represented and the barriers that women face in politics.

Condemnation of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and Federal Territory Islamic Department (JAWI) raid on the Otot2 health centre in Kuala Lumpur on November 28, 2025, which led to the arrest of 202 men and documented 11 major human rights violations, including denial of due process, biased questioning, poor detention conditions (e.g., sleep deprivation / inadequate food / water / toilets), lack of medical access with forced HIV status disclosure, physical / verbal / psychological / sexual abuse, unnecessary phone inspections, and corruption. 

These breaches contravene constitutional rights, the Criminal Procedure Code, Body of Principles for Detainees, and Nelson Mandela Rules, particularly targeting individuals based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, while eroding public trust and professionalism. The raid caused severe public health setbacks, including mental health crises like suicidal ideation, barriers to treatment, and misuse of safer sex tools (condoms/PrEP) to imply criminality exacerbating HIV risks as per UNAIDS data and prior Justice for Sisters surveys showing fear of health services. We demanded an immediate independent SUHAKAM and Ministry of Health investigation into agency conduct, prolonged detention post-remand denial, human rights / public health impacts, alongside MOH review of enforcement effects on national policies, and urge media / public / state actors to avoid sensationalism, shaming, or discrimination.

Condemnation of PAS Youth's call to investigate and ban Justice for Sisters (JFS) for offering legal and psychosocial support to over 200 people i.e., 171 Malaysian men and 31 foreigners arbitrarily detained in a discriminatory Chow Kit raid, viewing such attacks on human rights defenders as threats to all constitutional freedoms under Articles 5 (liberty), 8 (equality and non-discrimination), 9 (movement), and 10 (expression and association). 

The raid involved humiliating treatment like public exposure in towels, media filming, degrading sexually explicit questioning unrelated to offenses, and a rejected remand due to insufficient evidence, breaching SOPs, Lock-Up Rules 1953, privacy rights, and international standards including the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and SUHAKAM Act 1999. JAG highlighted patterns of discriminatory enforcement undermining public trust, HIV prevention, and treaty obligations like CEDAW, demanding an end to harassment of JFS, police explanations on SOP compliance and media involvement, a full SUHAKAM probe, guidelines against discriminatory practices, and government protection for civil society to uphold justice and democratic principles.

Condemnation of the arrests of activists S. Arutchelvan, Mythreyar, and resident Logeswaran on November 12, 2025, under Section 186 of the Penal Code during the forceful eviction of Kampung Papan residents, despite a clear directive from the Selangor Menteri Besar via an October 23 press statement limiting demolitions to vacant houses only, following negotiated agreements. The statement asserted the arrests were unwarranted and unlawful, as the trio acted in line with state instructions to protect occupied homes until an amicable resolution, while IPD Klang Selatan officers, including the OCPD, defied the directive by aiding developer Melati Ehsan in removing belongings and physically ejecting residents. The groups demanded the immediate unconditional release of the three individuals and urged the Selangor state government to intervene, halt demolitions and evictions, and ensure alternative housing for all affected residents.

Numerous civil societies urged the Parliament to establish an ombudsman for schools, particularly as many sexual harassment, and bullying cases had been ‘swept under the rug’, and there was no indication that the implicated officers were prosecuted for corruption. It was recognised that the MoE controlled reforms were not enough and the oversight of an ombudsman was needed.

Urged Malaysia and Singapore to collaborate urgently to halt the execution of Pannir Selvam, a Malaysian national on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking charges, emphasising that bilateral cooperation can address root causes like cross-border drug issues while upholding human rights. The statement highlighted Pannir's case as emblematic of broader injustices in mandatory death penalty regimes, calling for clemency, legal reviews, and a shift toward rehabilitative justice over punitive measures. The groups stressed that joint action through intelligence sharing, harm reduction, and policy reforms offers a humane path forward, preventing irreversible harm and fostering regional trust.

Serious concerns over police conduct during protests in solidarity with Palestine in Malaysia, highlighting lapses in professionalism such as potential use of excessive force, intimidation tactics, and violations of rights to peaceful assembly and free expression. The statement criticised the disproportionate response to demonstrators advocating for Palestinian rights, urging authorities to uphold constitutional protections, ensure accountability through independent investigations, and adhere to international human rights standards to rebuild public trust in law enforcement. It emphasizes that such actions risk stifling dissent and underscore broader issues in policing practices.

The Social Work Profession Bill is critical to strengthen and bring professionalism to social work in Malaysia, but in its current form, it is seriously and fundamentally flawed. Its development lacks transparency, accountability and professionalism as civil societies are unable to review and contribute to the draft and the planned two-hour town hall only provides very limited time for feedback. The most critical concern is that the bill only covers social workers and social work outside of government agencies.

The recent Federal Court’s dismissal of Maria Chin Abdullah’s bid to appeal against the judicial review of a Sharia Court show-cause order for contempt raised serious concerns about the freedom of expression in Malaysia. JAG called for the freedom under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution to be upheld, legal institutions to remain open to constructive scrutiny and criticism, the public to be at liberty to share their views and experiences, and women’s lived voices and realities to be the centre of legal reform and policies.