An Australian journalist is set to face trial next month in Thailand after Malaysia’s internet regulator filed a criminal defamation complaint over his critical writing, a rare cross-border case in Southeast Asia that rights groups say could open the door to prosecutions of reporters across the region.
Advertisement
Murray Hunter, a blogger and former academic based in southern Thailand, was indicted in Bangkok on November 17 over four Substack articles that accused Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) of overstepping its authority and acting as a politically driven “thought police”.
Hunter was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in September while attempting to fly to Hong Kong and was freed on 20,000 Thai baht (US$616) bail, with his passport confiscated by Thai police.
He now faces a criminal defamation trial brought by the MCMC starting on December 21. If convicted in Thailand, he faces a possible two-year jail term and a fine of up to 200,000 Thai baht.
Thailand suspends Trump-backed peace deal with Cambodia
Thailand suspends Trump-backed peace deal with Cambodia
“It’s surreal. Now my life is controlled by the court that has stamped jurisdiction over the case,” Hunter told This Week in Asia. “I see this as the leadership of the MCMC trying to silence me and give a lesson to others.
Advertisement