Dear Prime Minister Mahathir

We are writing to express our grave concern over the recent spate of arrests of prominent government critics in Malaysia. These arrests have further eroded the credibility of the Malaysian legal system.

Among those arrested in the past week were Karpal Singh, one of Malaysia's most prominent defense attorneys; Mohamed Ezam Mohamed Nor, a leader of the National Justice Party, founded by Anwar Ibrahim's wife Dr. Wan Azizah; Marina Yusoff, vice-president of the National Justice Party; Zulkifli Sulong, editor of the Islamic party newspaper Harakah; and Chia Lim Thye, owner of the newspaper's printing company. All five were arrested based on statements or allegations they made or printed in the run-up to nationwide elections last November. Four of the five arrested were charged with violating Malaysia's sedition law.

The sedition law, originally enacted by British colonial authorities, limits free expression by broadly criminalizing any speech which is judged to have a "seditious tendency," including speech which tends "to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against" the government or which tends to promote "feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races." The vague language invites selective application. In 1998 the law was used to jail outspoken opposition parliamentarian Lim Guan Eng, to investigate Anwar, and to question Wan Azizah. It is ironic that your government, which has been so critical of the "neocolonial" behavior of other nations, should enforce a colonial-era law against its critics.

Deputy Prime Minister Badawi has publicly stated that the arrests stemmed from "investigations following police reports filed by several people" and has denied any intention to single out opposition leaders. He has claimed that the government is simply enforcing the law and thereby upholding freedom. The Deputy Prime Minister's statements, however, do not explain why, when numerous police reports were also filed against ruling party officials and their allies during this same post-election period, only opposition figures are being arrested.

The recent arrests are the latest in a series of legal cases against Malaysian citizens who openly express critical views. Prominent cases currently pending include that of women's rights activist Irene Fernandez and that of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, both of whom are in the middle of protracted, expensive trials.

Selective prosecution of critics violates their basic rights as guaranteed by international law. We believe that the recent arrests, by further polarizing the political field, bode ill for long-term political stability in Malaysia. We call on you as chief executive to insure that the law in Malaysia is not used for politically motivated proceedings against activists, attorneys, journalists, and opposition leaders. Those who peacefully express critical views should not be subject to arrest.

Thank you for your consideration of these important matters. We look forward to your reply.

Dear Prime Minister Mahathir