Most major newspapers are owned by individuals and companies close to the ruling National Front, and give the opposition minimal coverage. In July 1999, the information minister placed an unprecedented ban on opposition access to RTM during the upcoming election campaign. The 1967 Police Act requires permits for all public assemblies. Following the arrest of Anwar Ibrahim in September 1998, and continuing into 1999, police forcibly broke up numerous peaceful opposition rallies, mainly in Kuala Lumpur but also in rural towns. Since 1969, authorities have banned political rallies and have only permitted indoor discussion sessions.
Nongovernmental organizations operate openly but face some harassment.
In February 1999, the University of Malaya dismissed Chandra Muzzafar, a prominent academic and supporter of Anwar Ibrahim, ostensibly on financial grounds. Official policy discriminates against Chinese, Tamils, and other minorities in education, employment, and business affairs. Some 60 percent of Malaysians are Muslim, and Islam is the official religion, although non-Muslims worship freely in this secular country. There are considerable restrictions on worker s rights to organize and hold strikes. The law permits each union and labor federation to represent only one trade.