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By Mihar Dias September 2025
In democracies, satire is often the last line of defense against authoritarian creep. It is the mirror held up to power, the laugh that punctures pomposity.
In the United States, late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert have built careers lampooning presidents, policies, and political hypocrisy. Their sharp wit is protected by the First Amendment—a constitutional guarantee of free speech.
Yet even in America, the tide of censorship is rising, with comedians facing advertiser pressure, platform throttling, and political backlash.
But what’s unfolding in Malaysia under the Madani administration makes even those struggles look tame.
Rafique Rashid’s recent commentary lays bare a chilling reality: in Malaysia today, satire isn’t just frowned upon—it’s criminalized. https://www.facebook.com/share/15Xmo19t6m/
Take Kamil, a TikToker with no political affiliations, whose only crime was questioning the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s speed in clearing the Prime Minister of alleged ties to 20 Israeli bank accounts. For this, he was arrested at 3 a.m., interrogated under the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. https://www.facebook.com/share/15Xmo19t6m/
The message is clear: dissent, even in jest, will be punished.
This is not an isolated incident. Malaysiakini, a respected news portal, had its Facebook account suspended mere hours after publishing an exposé on 263 suspicious accounts pushing pro-government narratives. The Prime Minister’s Office denied involvement. How convenient. https://www.facebook.com/share/15Xmo19t6m/
(MCMC has also denied the allegations quoting Meta on October 1st.) Yahoo News
Even beyond our borders, the crackdown continues. Murray Hunter, a seasoned journalist and critic of Malaysian politics, was detained in Thailand at Malaysia’s request. His passport was seized, and he now faces criminal defamation charges. Lawyers for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are scheduled to appear in Thai courts.
If this is how Malaysia treats its critics abroad, what hope is there for free expression at home?
Nearly three years into the Madani administration, the promise to repeal draconian laws remains unfulfilled. Instead, these laws are weaponized against government critics. The irony is bitter: Anwar Ibrahim, once a vocal opponent of Mahathir’s authoritarianism, now presides over a regime that seems even more intolerant of dissent. https://www.facebook.com/share/15Xmo19t6m/
In the U.S., Kimmel and Colbert may face political ire, but they are not dragged from their homes in the dead of night. They are not charged with sedition for mocking the President. Their satire is uncomfortable, yes—but it is legal. In Malaysia, satire has become a dangerous act of defiance.
The rot in Putrajaya is no longer metaphorical. It is institutional, systemic, and emboldened. Rafique is right: no one is safe. Not Kamil. Not Malaysiakini. Not Murray Hunter. And certainly not the idea of free speech.
If Malaysia is to champion democracy—as Anwar claims in his role as ASEAN Chair—it must begin at home. It must protect its satirists, its journalists, its TikTokers. It must stop making a mockery of the law. https://www.facebook.com/share/15Xmo19t6m/
Until then, the Madani media mayhem will remain a cautionary tale—not just for Malaysia, but for every democracy flirting with authoritarianism behind a veil of reform.
Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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