Murray Hunter

Murray Hunter is an Australian journalist and retired academic, specializing in Southeast Asia.[1][2]

Career

2025 arrest in Thailand

Hunter was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok as he was boarding a flight to Hong Kong on charges of defamation by publication.[3] Hunter was subsequently jailed overnight and released on 20,000 Baht bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on 17 November 2025.[3] Hunter faces a maximum prison term of two years.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) made police complaints against Hunter in Malaysia and Thailand.[4][5][6]

Hunter claims the charges stem from 2024 articles about Malaysia published on his Substack newsletter.[3] He characterized his arrest as a form of transnational repression by Malaysia, in the form of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).[4]

Reaction

Hunter's arrest by Thai police on behalf of MCMC was widely criticized. It was described as an "extraordinary step".[7] On 1 October 2025, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and PEN Malaysia issued a statement condemning the arrest.[8]

Publications

  • Narratives From Piyamit: Life Stories at the End of the Revolution (2024)[9]

References

  1. ^ National, Brought to you byABC Radio (2025-10-04). "Australian academic and commentator arrested in Thailand". ABC listen. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  2. ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/oz-academic-arrested-in-thailand-for-defaming-malaysian-govt/news-story/75796ac955b216e360f45e2a3d4cb3ba?amp
  3. ^ a b c Peck, Grant; Saksornchai, Jintamas (2025-10-02). "Australian says he was improperly arrested in Thailand over his criticism of Malaysia". AP News. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  4. ^ a b "Thailand Arrests Australian Journalist Over Malaysian Defamation Charge". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  5. ^ Mail, Malay (2025-10-03). "MCMC: Murray Hunter's Bangkok arrest linked to ongoing Thai investigation". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  6. ^ Times, New Straits (2025-10-03). "MCMC: Murray Hunter arrested after ignoring Thai summonses | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  7. ^ Berthelsen, John. "Thais Arrest Journalist Critic at Malaysia's Request". www.asiasentinel.com. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  8. ^ "Detention of Political Commentator Murray Hunter a Suppression of Free Speech | CIJ Malaysia". 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  9. ^ Jason Ng Sze Chieh; Hunter, Murray (2024). Narratives from Piyamit: life stories at the end of the revolution. Petaling Jaya: SIRD Strategic Information and Research Development Centre. ISBN 978-629-7575-33-9.
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