TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 137

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

Right No.

CONFIDENTIAL

MALAYSIA

(iv)

Freedom of speech is almost absolute but press, television and radio are all controlled in one way or another. Radio and television come under direct Government control and there is a strong element of self-censorship in the press. All newspapers have to receive a licence from the Government annually and they therefore make sure that they do not step out of line. Under the Sedition Act certain sensitive issues (of race, language and religion) may not be aired on public political occasions.

(v) The judiciary are completely independent

under the Constitution and have on several occasions recently made it

obvious to the Government that they will not be pushed around.

(vi) The trades unions are in general as free

to act as Western European trades unions. But in the public sector the Government can exercise control by declaring strikes illegal. This they have done on several occasions. The unions complain about what they see as Malaysia's oppressive labour laws. But they are very free to agitate.

(vii) There are no restrictions placed on

emigration.

CONFIDENTIAL

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