ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship The Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance This law has been particularly used to control the dissemination of certain information deemed sensitive or potentially detrimental to the management of the health crisis. Elections (2020) Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed as the Prime Minister in politically complex circumstances triggered by the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in February 2020. Subsequently, a political crisis erupted. The manner in which Muhyiddin Yassin became Prime Minister sparked controversies and debates on the legitimacy of the process. Elections (2021) Ismail Sabri Yaakob was elected as the Prime Minister of Malaysia on August 21, 2021. He assumed office following the resignation of his predecessor due to political pressure. Ismail Sabri was appointed Prime Minister after gaining the support of a majority of members in the Malaysian Parliament, and there were no elections per se. Instead, Ismail Sabri was selected through the internal political process of Parliament, where members expressed their confidence in his ability to form a stable government. Elections (2022) Anwar Ibrahim became the Prime Minister of Malaysia on November 24, 2022, following legislative elections. His appointment marked the end of a prolonged period of political uncertainty post-elections. The 15th Malaysian General Elections (GE15), the first since the Covid pandemic lockdown, aimed to restore political stability after three different prime ministers since 2018. However, the results were inconclusive, with no single coalition winning the minimum seats to form a government. Subsequently, the King entrusted Anwar Ibrahim with the task of forming a new government. Cyber Security Law (2022) This law outlaws the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), infringing upon individuals’ right to access information online. Illegitimate coup (2021) On February 1, 2021, the Burmese military overthrew the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, ending several years of democratic transition. The military declared a state of emergency, citing allegations of electoral fraud during the November 2020 elections, which were won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). SIM Card Registration Act (2022) This law requires all SIM card users to register their personal details, including name, address and identity card number, with telecoms operators Anti-Terrorism Act (2020) It grants the government broader powers to prevent and combat terrorism, including the authority to conduct warrantless arrests and detain suspects for an extended period without judicial warrant, allowing the designation of individuals or groups as terrorists without due process and grants authorities the power to conduct surveillance. Elections (2022) Ferdinand Marcos Jr., commonly known as Bongbong Marcos, emerged victorious in the presidential election in the Philippines. The son of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country as a dictator for over two decades, Marcos Jr.'s win has sparked discussions and reactions given the historical context associated with his family's regime. MALAYSIA MYANMAR THE PHILIPPINES Executive Summary: A Regional Overview 27