A prominent Malaysian opposition lawmaker with a reputation as a whistleblower was sentenced to 18 months in jail for releasing one page of a classified document on a controversial state investment fund.
A Malaysian rights group called the sentence a “dangerous chill on free speech” that could lead to a more repressive and unaccountable government.
Rafizi Ramli, vice president of the People’s Justice Party, was found guilty by the court of violating the Official Secrets Act by possessing and disclosing content of a government audit report on the indebted 1MDB fund, founded by Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Rafizi, who often makes allegations on alleged government wrongdoing, said he would appeal.
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