SHAH ALAM - 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).
CIJ said it stood in solidarity with Amir and Chew, while questioning the basis for their detention following their cooperation with authorities during the ongoing investigation.
“At a time when ordinary people are demanding answers to former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s conditional pardon, the targeting of human rights defenders raises alarm and scepticism over the government’s accountability and real commitment to eradicate corruption.
“Authorities have an immediate responsibility to provide clear information on the specific offence being investigated and the basis for their detention, especially when they have been fully cooperating with the investigation.
“CIJ calls on the authorities to uphold due process, ensure transparency and respect the fundamental rights of Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew throughout the investigation.
“We demand an end to arbitrary, disproportionate and retaliatory use of the law and investigate powers against civil society,” CIJ said in a statement.
The case began in May 2026 following allegations that Mandiri had received foreign funding to undermine the government. Mandiri denied the allegations, maintaining that its funding came from legitimate institutional grants.
On Sept 10, Mandiri said the personal bank accounts of Amir and Chew, as well as the organisation’s accounts and those belonging to Hayat, had been frozen under anti-money laundering laws.
The measures were followed by police visits on Sept 14 and 17 and a raid on the organisations’ shared office in Petaling Jaya on Sept 18.
During the raid, Mandiri and Hayat said they handed over financial records, audit reports, tax documents, staff payroll records, a computer and a USB drive containing financial information.
The arrests of Amir and Chew on Sept 22 came after both appeared at Bukit Aman to give statements.
Mandiri said they had continued cooperating with investigators throughout the probe, while police had not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the specific alleged predicate offence underlying the AMLA investigation.
The arrests also came days after the Federal Territories Pardons Board granted Najib a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine.
CIJ linked the two developments through its call for greater transparency and accountability, particularly as public attention remained focused on the government’s handling of corruption and Najib’s conditional pardon.