Pakatan Harapan supporters wave PH flags at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya May 10, 2018. — Picture by Zuraneeza Zulkifli

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The United Nations praised today the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition for knuckling down to dismantle “oppressive laws” as promised just two weeks after being elected to federal power.

Its resident coordinator for Malaysia, Stefan Priesner, said the PH election manifesto is very much aligned to the UN’s Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are supportive of the efforts by Malaysia to review these laws in consultation with the National Human Rights Commission, non-governmental organisations and social activists.

“The UN and its agencies stand ready to provide technical assistance and policy advice to support the government’s efforts in implementing its manifesto that has a strong focus on leaving no one behind, good governance and the realisation of human rights,” he said in a statement.

“It is significant that the repeal of oppressive laws in accordance with international norms and standards is carried out as a priority,” he added.

Priesner was responding to the recent announcement by Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that the government would review laws including the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Sedition Act 1948, Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, Prevention of Crime Act 1959, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015, and the mandatory death sentence.

The UN official also said it was encouraged by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo’s promise to repeal the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 that was rushed through Parliament and gazetted as law three months ago.

“Freedom of the Press is one of the very cornerstones of democracy, enabling media to contribute as the ‘fourth pillar’ of democracy in addition to legislature, executive and judiciary.

Freedom of the Press is crucial to human rights, sustainable development, democracy and peace,” he said.