KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has withdrawn a criminal defamation case in Thailand against Australian political commentator Murray Hunter after he apologised and took down articles about the commission.
In a statement, MCMC said the Thai case was linked to four articles published in April 2024 while Hunter was living in Thailand. The commission described the articles as misleading and said they contained serious allegations that harmed its reputation.
MCMC said it had lodged police reports in both Malaysia and Thailand over the publications. The case in Thailand was later taken up by Thai authorities under the country’s laws.
Hunter was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in September 2025 and later released on bail.
The regulator said the matter was settled after mediation sessions at the Bangkok South Criminal Court. Hunter issued a public apology and retracted the four articles. Following the settlement, MCMC withdrew the reports related to the Thai case.
Separately, MCMC said it has also settled a civil defamation suit in Malaysia involving 13 articles through a consent order recorded by the High Court on Feb 4.
The commission said both the Thai criminal case and the Malaysian civil suit are now resolved, subject to Hunter complying with the agreed terms.
Hunter, who previously lived in Malaysia and now resides in Thailand, is known for his critical writings on Malaysian politics.– February 18, 2026