KUALA LUMPUR – Murray Hunter, an Australian journalist based in southern Thailand, is set to stand trial in the country on December 22 after being indicted for allegedly defaming the Malaysian government.
According to the Bangkok Post, Murray, who resides in Hat Yai, faces criminal defamation charges stemming from four articles published on his Substack blog.
The case was initiated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which lodged a complaint with Thai authorities, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).
TLHR has described the proceedings as a “transnational SLAPP case”—a reference to strategic lawsuits against public participation, often deployed to suppress dissent rather than to secure legal redress.
The MCMC’s complaint, filed in April 2024, accused Hunter of publishing “slanderous postings” that alleged the commission had overstepped its mandate for personal gain and was politically compromised by the Pakatan Harapan administration.
His writings also suggested that both the commission and Malaysian police were attempting to intimidate the public. The MCMC has “categorically rejected all baseless accusations”.
Hunter claims he was unaware that Malaysia’s High Court had already issued a civil defamation ruling against him prior to the escalation of the case in Thailand, where it now carries criminal penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 baht (RM26,000).
The Hunter case is believed to be the first time Thai criminal defamation law has been used in this manner against a journalist.
Thailand’s recently revised anti-corruption legislation—the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption (No.2), BE 2568 (2025)—has been promoted by the government as a safeguard against SLAPP tactics. Officials say the law enhances protections for whistleblowers and encourages public engagement in anti-corruption efforts. – November 19, 2025