Bank accounts of HRDs Amir Hariri Abd Hadi and Chew Chuan Yang, and organisations MANDIRI and HAYAT, frozen under anti-money laundering law
On 10 September 2026, the personal bank accounts of human rights defenders Amir Hariri Abd Hadi and Chew Chuan Yang were frozen under anti-money laundering legislation. The organisational accounts of human rights organisations, MANDIRI and HAYAT, were also frozen. In the days prior, the human rights defenders discovered that they are the subject of a travel ban, restricting them from leaving Malaysia. To date, they have not been notified of an investigation or any charges against them.
Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, known as Amir Hadi, is a Malaysian human rights defender and Executive Director of MANDIRI, a youth-led civil society organisation whoseworkpromotes human rights, youth and student empowerment, democratic participation, and anti-corruption advocacy. He was previously the coordinator of the “Right to Trial” programme at Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and worked on issues such aas the right to a fair trial, security laws and detention without trial. Amir Hariri Abd Hadi is a long-standing human rights advocate for the right to peaceful assembly in Malaysia.
On 10 September 2026, the personal bank accounts of human rights defenders Amir Hariri Abd Hadi and Chew Chuan Yang were frozen under anti-money laundering legislation. The organisational accounts of human rights organisations, MANDIRI and HAYAT, were also frozen. In the days prior, the human rights defenders discovered that they are the subject of a travel ban, restricting them from leaving Malaysia. To date, they have not been notified of an investigation or any charges against them.
Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, known as Amir Hadi, is a Malaysian human rights defender and Executive Director of MANDIRI, a youth-led civil society organisation whose work promotes human rights, youth and student empowerment, democratic participation, and anti-corruption advocacy. He was previously the coordinator of the “Right to Trial” programme at Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and worked on issues such as the right to a fair trial, security laws and detention without trial. Amir Hariri Abd Hadi is a long-standing human rights advocate for the right to peaceful assembly in Malaysia.
Chew Chuan Yang, known as Dobby Chew, is a Malaysian human rights defender, Finance Director of MANDIRI and the Chief Executive Officer of HAYAT, a human rights organisation working on the abolition of the death penalty and the rights of people facing execution. He previously worked as Documentation and Monitoring Coordinator at Suara Rakat Malaysia (SUARAM), a human rights NGO which worked on enforced disappearances, the right to trial and freedom of expression.
On 10 September 2026, Amir Hariri Abd Hadi received a letter from his bank stating that his personal account had been frozen under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. This legislation permits enforcement officers to freeze a person's property during an investigation. The personal bank accounts of Chew Chuan Yang, and the organisational accounts of MANDIRI and HAYAT, were also frozen.
According to the information received, neither Amir Hariri Abd Hadi nor Chew Chuan Yang have been contacted about the freezing of their accounts, provided with reasons, or called in for questioning. MANDIRI has urged the authorities to explain the basis for the measures and to lift them immediately. Such restrictions affect the ability of MANDIRI and HAYAT to meet ordinary obligations, including staff salaries and programme expenditure.
The freezing of their bank accounts follows a months-long online campaign of allegations that MANDIRI received foreign funding.
On 15 May 2026, an anonymous AI-generated video appeared on TikTok alleging that MANDIRI had received foreign funding to conduct political and disinformation activities aimed at de-stabilising the government. A police report was reportedly lodged against MANDIRI on the same day. Amir Hariri Abd Hadi responded on behalf of the organisation, stating that the accusations were political and aimed at discrediting youth organisations which advocate against issues such as corruption.
On 17 May 2026, a Government official issued a statement on MANDIRI, calling for the authorities to investigate them, including under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act. The official alleged that the funds were linked to political movements, including the financing of social media operations and the mobilisation of street protests intended to generate anti-government sentiment under the guise of democracy and human rights. Following public criticism of these claims, the official publicly shifted the emphasis to alleged misappropriation of funds.
On 18 May 2026, solicitors working on behalf of MANDIRI sent a letter to the Government official asking for the retraction of allegations by issuing a public apology. Following the official’s failure to do so, MANDIRI and Amir Hariri Abd Hadi subsequently commenced defamation proceedings against the Government official. The case remains pending before the Malaysian courts.
On 3 September 2026, having learned that he was banned from leaving the country through the ‘MyBorderPass’ application, Amir Hariri Abd Hadi publicly sought an explanation. He stated that he had not been made aware of the reason for the travel ban. Similarly, Chew Chuan Yang was told on returning from a trip to Indonesia, that a travel ban had been imposed by the police.
On 14 September 2026, MANDIRI and HAYAT submitted letters to the Inspector General of Police, requesting a written explanation on the nature of investigations, the legal provisions upon which they are based, and other related reference numbers for the relevant case files. On 15 September 2026, MANDIRI and HAYAT submitted letters to relevant authorities including the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Attorney General of Malaysia, reiterating the request.
The measures against Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, Chew Chuan Yang, and the MANDIRI and HAYAT organisations come amid growing concern over the use of administrative and financial powers to restrict civil society in Malaysia. Since 30 June 2026, at least four leaders and staff members from the anti-corruption movement and human rights NGO, Bersih, have been banned from entering Sabah without a stated reason. This occurred in the context of an anti-corruption rally in Kota Kinabalu.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned by the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, Chew Chuan Yang, MANDIRI and HAYAT, particularly in the absence of any charge or notified investigation. The organisation is also concerned by the travel bans imposed on the two human rights defenders, in the absence of any notification, explanation or opportunity to respond. Front Line Defenders believes these measures are directly connected to the peaceful and legitimate human rights work carried out by the human rights defenders and the civil society organisations, including their public human rights advocacy against corruption.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Malaysia to:
- Immediately lift the freezing orders on the personal and organisational bank accounts belonging to Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, Chew Chuan Yang, MANDIRI and HAYAT, and lift the travel restrictions imposed on both human rights defenders;
- Cease the use of anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing legislation to restrict the legitimate funding and operations of civil society organisations, in line with Malaysia's obligations under international human rights law and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders;
- Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Malaysia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
