A Cambodian woman who worked as a maid in Malaysia has been deported for comments she posted on social media criticizing Cambodian leaders, signaling a shift in Malaysia’s potential as a safe haven for dissents and political opponents.
The General Department of Prisons spokesperson Nuth Savna confirmed that Nuon Teoun, 36, who had worked in Malaysia for several years, was arrested by Malaysian authorities last week following a request from Cambodian authorities. Charged with “incitement to disturb social security”, Teoun arrived in Cambodia on October 1 where she was then placed in pre-trial custody at Prey Sar prison, according to Savna.
The deportation follows the arrest of the prominent Cambodian journalist, Mech Dara, this week on similar charges related to his social media posts.
Toeun was arrested at her employer’s home in Kuala Lumpur soon after she made a now-deleted post on Facebook in which she criticized former longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen, labeling him a “despicable guy”.
“If I have sinned because I [have cursed] this despicable guy, I am happy to accept the sin because he has mistreated my people so badly,” she said in a video posted online, according to a transcription published by Radio Free Asia.
Operations director of local rights group Licadho, Am Sam Ath, said he was perplexed by the Malaysian government’s decision to deport a migrant worker who criticized Cambodian leaders on social media, noting that former opposition figures, such as Sam Rainsy, once held political refuge in the country after fleeing from persecution in Cambodia.
“It is the first case we have seen that makes us consider that Malaysia is not safe for political and social activists seeking the right of asylum,” Sam Ath said.
Senator Kong Monika of the opposition Khmer Will Party expressed regret over Toeun’s deportation and arrest, stating that she had merely exercised her freedom of expression in a country that claims to protect democratic ideals.
“We have never thought a country that upholds democracy like Malaysia would practice activities that are contrary to a principle of democracy,” he said.
Monika stated that countries typically enact extradition agreements for individuals who commit serious crimes, not for those who express their opinions on social media.
Human rights groups have condemned several Southeast Asian governments for collaborating to harass, detain, and deport political dissidents in exile. New York-based Human Rights Watch urged the Thai government to stop forcing political dissidents to return to their home countries, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and China, where they might face persecution.
In 2021, Thailand deported three Cambodian political activists, sparking an outcry from the U.N. refugee agency and various civil society groups.
“We do not consider the person’s affiliation with political opposition when they have broken the law,” said government spokesperson Pen Bona. “If they broke the law, they have to respond before the law.”
“I would like to say to all [Cambodian] people who have committed unlawful acts, there is no safe shelter for you in the world,” said Bona.
“Wherever you go, the law is still valid and can be carried out against you,” he added.
The Malaysian embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond for comment, while Sok Eysan, the spokesperson for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, also declined to comment.
The spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, Touch Sokhak, could not be reached for comment.