ARTICLE 19 and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation denounce the intimidation and restrictions of human rights organisations MANDIRI and HAYAT, and their representatives, MANDIRI Executive Director Amir Harir Hadi, and MANDIRI Finance Director and HAYAT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dobby Chew. The recent incidents signal an intensified, worrying pattern of harassment against human rights defenders in Malaysia, directly undermining the ability of civil society to advocate for accountability and reforms without fear of reprisal. We stand in solidarity with Amir Hadi, Dobby Chew, and their organisations. Our organisations also urge the authorities to immediately reinstate affected bank accounts, lift the travel bans imposed on Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew, and drop the investigations against them.
On 11 September, MANDIRI confirmed that Amir Harir Hadi’s personal bank account had been frozen under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001 until further instructions from the police. The bank accounts of Dobby Chew, as well as those belonging to MANDIRI and HAYAT have also been blocked. MANDIRI also confirmed that, as of 14 September, they have not received an official letter or notice from the police regarding an investigation into the matter.
Authorities’ harassment of MANDIRI started in May 2026 after a call by Kamil Munim, political secretary to the finance minister and chief of the youth wing of the People’s Justice Party (PKR), for an investigation into alleged foreign funding that had been channelled to organisations, individuals, and politicians. Munim urged the authorities to carry out the investigations in the interest of protecting national security from political activities.
A week prior, on 3 September, Amir Hadi confirmed that he had been banned from travelling abroad, shortly after Dobby Chew faced issues returning to Kuala Lumpur from Jakarta. Dobby has since been informed that he is also under a travel ban.
‘Restricting the movement and financial operations of human rights organisations and defenders without transparency, due process, or clear legal justification is disproportionate and unnecessary. Such measures interfere with the legitimate work of civil society organisations, hampering their ability to operate independently, defend human rights, and support communities that they serve,’ said Alfred Wu, Head of the Asia-Pacific Programme at ARTICLE 19.
Both Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew voluntarily presented themselves to the Bukit Aman police station on 14 September to seek clarification regarding the frozen bank accounts and travel bans, having received no prior contact or information from the authorities on these restrictions.
In recent months, human rights defenders have come under increasing pressure. Examples include investigations into the former CEO of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), Pushpan Muruguah, for allegedly committing an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy; investigations into political commentators and academics; the arrest of youth activists Hamdin Nordin, Fakrurrazzi Khairur Rijal, and Ahsanul Akmal Sulam in connection with allegations of misuse of power involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC); probes into activist Shakila Zen for allegedly defaming a royal institution by linking it to sand mining activities; and travel restrictions imposed on three activists from the electoral rights group BERSIH, Asraf Sharafi Azhar, Anas Nor’azim, and Alyaah Hani.
‘Taken together, this string of incidents points to a troubling pattern of pressure against those who dare speak out and seek accountability. This risks entrenching a culture ofintimidation and silencing critical voices, which cannot be normalised. As Malaysia moves towards its next general elections, the authorities should instead be doing the opposite: ensuring a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders to operate in and hold those in power accountable without fear of reprisal. A protected civic space is not only essential for credible elections, but for a healthy and resilient democracy,’ said Josef Benedict, Civicus Asia Pacific Researcher.
Serious concern about the arrest and detention of human rights defenders, Amir Hariri Abd Hadi and Chew Chuan Yang in Malaysia
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has called on authorities to stop targeting human rights defenders and instead ensure transparency and accountability in matters involving corruption.
The call came after Mandiri executive director Amir Hariri Abd Hadi and finance director Dobby Chew were arrested on Sept 22 under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).
On 22 September 2026 Frontline issued a call for the release of Amir Hariri Abd Hadi and Chew Chuan Yang in Malysia.
