Australia–Malaysia–Thailand: PEN Centres urge action as writer Murray Hunter faces transnational repression
27 November 2025: PEN International, PEN Melbourne, PEN Perth and PEN Sydney called on Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong to urgently intervene in the case of writer Murray Hunter. In a joint letter, the organisations condemned Malaysia’s transnational use of criminal defamation and civil actions, warning that the case poses a serious threat to freedom of expression across the region.
26 November 2025
Senator The Hon Penny Wong
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Australia
Parliamentary Office
PO Box 6100
Senate
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
By email: [email protected]
Murray Hunter: Australian writer detained in Thailand
Dear Senator Wong
PEN Melbourne, PEN Perth and PEN Sydney are three Australian chapters of PEN International, the worldwide organisation representing writers and defending freedom of expression. We write to convey our serious concerns about Australian writer Murray Hunter, currently detained (his passport has been confiscated) and on bail in Thailand, and to urge your advocacy on his behalf to the Malaysian government.
Murray Hunter was indicted on criminal defamation charges by Bangkok’s Criminal Court in Thailand on 17 November 2025 at the request of Malaysian authorities. His court case in Thailand is based on a complaint filed at Yannawa Police Station by a representative of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which accuses Hunter of defaming the regulator in a series of Substack articles published between 13 and 29 April 2024.
PEN International regards the Malaysian government’s criminal defamation charges against Mr Hunter – pursued and then taken to court in Thailand – as a serious case of transnational repression and one that could set a disturbing precedent in the region. The regulator had also previously filed a separate police complaint in Malaysia, resulting in the Shah Alam High Court reportedly finding Hunter liable for civil defamation on 15 October 2025. Hunter states that he had not been notified of the case prior to the judgement and had not received any official documents related to the proceedings, raising serious questions over whether it is a judgement on the merits.
Senator, we note your recent high level meeting with the Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan on 12 September 2025, and your joint acknowledgement of the strong bilateral relations between Australia and Malaysia, making this an appropriate time to raise the case of Murray Hunter with Minister Mohamad Hasan.
We believe the grounds for your advocacy of Murray Hunter are strong as he is an Australian citizen whose Substack articles were published in the public interest. As you know, Malaysia is the current Chair of ASEAN and as such is committed to upholding the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, in particular
respect for and promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance.
Progressing criminal defamation charges against an individual for their public interest commentaries, and having them carried out in another country, in our view, does not align with the tenets of ASEAN membership.
Senator, we understand that this request comes at the close of the parliamentary year. However, as you well know support and advocacy for Australian citizens in unsafe situations does not take a holiday. We urge you to do the following:
give serious consideration to the details of Murray Hunter’s case
advocate for him via your strong diplomatic relationship with your Malaysian counterpart
insist that the charges against Murray Hunter are dropped immediately, and
take any actions that will allow Mr Hunter to leave Thailand without further charge.
The Australian PEN centres are keen to support you in this advocacy. We look forward to your response as soon as possible. Furthermore, please let us know how we can best work with you on this serious case of injustice faced by an Australian citizen in our region.
With our sincere regards
Chris McKenzie
President
PEN Melbourne
Krishna Sen
President
PEN Perth
Mansour Razaghi
Writers in Prison Committee
PEN Sydney
Ross Holder
Head of Asia/ Pacific Region
PEN International
Additional information:
Murray Hunter is an established independent journalist, writer and former academic, whose commentary on governance and politics in Malaysia have been regularly featured in Malaysian news outlets, including Free Malaysia Today and Malay Mail. In addition to his self-published Substack newsletter, Hunter is also the author of several books on Malaysia’s history, economy and politics. In apparent retaliation for the critical nature of some of his blog posts, access to Hunter’s Substack was blocked in Malaysia for several months in October 2023.
PEN International has long denounced the use of criminal defamation charges and SLAPPs to silence and harass writers and journalists worldwide. PEN International opposes criminal defamation in all cases and urges the repeal of all criminal defamation and insult laws. The organisation further condemns the growing use of SLAPPs, which have become a significant threat to media freedom and advocacy rights, and calls upon all governments to adopt meaningful anti-SLAPP measures.
Note to Editors:
For further information, please contact Ross Holder, Head of Asia-Pacific region at PEN International, email: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager: [email protected]