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Malaysia Drops Defamation Case Against Writer Murray Hunter

2/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Malaysia withdrew the criminal defamation complaint against Murray Hunter, an Australian writer.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) filed the suit in 2025, alleging Hunter's writings accused it of abuse of power.
Hunter was arrested in September 2025.
Freedom of expression groups condemned the lawsuit as a threat to press freedom.
Hunter plans to write a book on SLAPP and advocate defamation-law changes in Thailand.

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Story summary

Malaysia withdrew the criminal defamation complaint against Murray Hunter, an Australian writer.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) filed the suit in 2025, alleging Hunter's writings accused it of abuse of power.
Hunter was arrested in September 2025.
Freedom of expression groups condemned the lawsuit as a threat to press freedom.
Hunter plans to write a book on SLAPP and advocate defamation-law changes in Thailand.