A GROWING trend among certain quarters to invoke human rights protections to defend individuals linked to criminal activities has prompted concern from authorities, who warn that such practices could distort public perception of Malaysia’s justice system.
Officials noted that some lawyers and human rights advocates have actively defended individuals with previous criminal records, using legal loopholes to pressure enforcement agencies and challenge the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
“Normalising defence by manipulating the circumstances, the suspect’s background, or the integrity of PDRM is extremely dangerous. It creates confusion and fosters negative perceptions of the nation’s legal and enforcement systems,” authorities said.
Malaysia has a robust legal framework, including the Police Act, Criminal Procedure Code, and other provisions designed to balance individual rights with public safety.
In criminal prevention, the PDRM operates under strict standard operating procedures, which are continually refined. Allegations that the police act outside their remit or are ‘trigger happy’ without evidence only erode public confidence.
“Human rights are not solely the privilege of suspects or criminals. They also belong to victims, their families, and the wider community,” authorities emphasised.
“PDRM is mandated and accountable for maintaining public order and security. Exploiting legal phrases to advocate for one party while ignoring the full legal framework is not a pursuit of human rights but a manipulation to protect suspects or criminals, disregarding societal impact.”
Authorities stressed that while defending suspects is a professional duty of lawyers, it must not come at the expense of denigrating law enforcement or obstructing justice. Law is a trust to ensure comprehensive justice, not a tool for strategising against enforcement agencies.
“The government and authorities must not yield to groups that shout about human rights violations whenever suspects are questioned, remanded, or act aggressively against police officers,” officials said. “Rights are not a licence to evade investigation. Legal reforms cannot justify weakening security controls to the detriment of public interest.”
Officials warned that allowing the misuse of legal and human rights mechanisms to shield criminals could compromise national stability and public safety.
“If the law is continuously manipulated for the benefit of a small group, the goal of ensuring societal security will become increasingly difficult to achieve,” they added. - December 15, 2025
