A human rights activist will be charged tomorrow over a social media post on the mistreatment of refugees at detention centres, barely a year after she had the same charge dismissed by the High Court.

Heidy Quah said she would be charged at the cyber crimes court tomorrow morning.

In a Facebook post, Quah said she would be charged for allegedly using the internet with the intention to offend and annoy.

“This police report was filed against me by our government of Malaysia.”

The last time Quah was charged, she was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal as the courts found the charges to be defective.

“But here I am, yet again. Being charged again.”

Quah then took a swipe at the current administration, saying that despite the change in the administration, some practices remained, specifically human rights defenders were still being prosecuted “for speaking the truth”.

She said while she was left shaken, she was determined to keep speaking up.

Quah also called on the government to reform Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA), which she is being charged under, and pass a strong Whistleblowers Act.

“It’s time we investigate allegations, not whistleblowers.”

In 2021, Quah was slapped with a charge under Section 233(1)(a) of the CMA, with the prosecution contending that she uploaded the post on June 5, 2020, with the intention to insult others.

Hours after revealing that she would be charged over a social media post on the mistreatment of refugees at detention centres, human rights activist Heidy Quah said she had been informed that she would not be hauled to court after all.

Quah told FMT that she had just received a call from the investigating officer informing her that there was no longer a need for her to go to the cyber crimes court to face charges for allegedly using the internet with the intention to offend and annoy.

“I am not sure what caused the change, public pressure, our letters of appeal, or the different leaders within the government who have worked hard for a New Malaysia and want to do things right.

“I hope that this matter ends once and for all, and I will no longer be charged.”

She then thanked those who stood in solidarity with her.

Earlier this evening Quah revealed that she would be charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA).

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had last year granted her a discharge not amounting to an acquittal as they found the charges to be defective.

In 2021, Quah was slapped with one charge under Section 233(1)(a) of the CMA, with the prosecution contending that she uploaded the post on June 5, 2020, with the intention to insult others.