ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship Fig. F: Key Events Driving Digital Dictatorship in Southeast Asia; see country chapters for timeline visualisations. Country Event Contextualisation National Internet Gateway (NIG) Sub-Decree (2020) Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and other Severe and Dangerous Contagious Diseases CAMBODIA Elections 26 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. The legislative elections in Cambodia, held on July 23, 2023, faced significant criticism for taking place in the absence of the main opposition party, the Candlelight Party, which was not allowed to participate. These elections were widely seen as tailored to ensure the victory of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, as part of an effort to validate the transition of power to Hun Manet, the eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The Inter-Ministerial Prakas No. 170 on Controlling the Publication of Websites and the Handling of Social Media This Prakas grants extensive powers to government ministries to monitor online activities, block websites, and censor any content that may be perceived as threatening national security, public order, and social interests. However, it lacks clear definitions, giving authorities broad discretion in its implementation. Ministerial Regulation Number 5/2020 on Private Electronic System Operators (MR 5/2020) The regulation gives the Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCI) broad powers to block and restrict access to online content deemed inappropriate or harmful, without clearly defining the criteria or procedures for determining what constitutes a violation. New Criminal Code (Law No. 1 of 2023) The New Criminal Code stipulates harsh penalties for speech-related offenses including the dissemination of false information, insults, defamation, and the promotion of abortion. Presidential Instruction No. 1/PNPS/1965 on the Abuse and Defamation of Religion This legislation has been used to incorporate a provision on blasphemy into the penal code. It stipulates penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment for individuals who deliberately and publicly exhibit sentiments or actions that are derogatory, disrespectful, or offensive towards a religion embraced in Indonesia, with the aim of dissuading others from adhering to any faith centered on belief in the One God. Law on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE Law) Despite the Indonesian government’s effort to revise the ITE Law, several problematic articles, including those concerning defamation, hate speech, and false news, have systematically hindered the fundamental right to freedom of expression and have silenced advocates for human rights. Telecom Law (2021) Telecom Law 2021 requires ISPs to cooperate with the government to block access to certain online content deemed inappropriate or against the law. In addition, Telecom Law 2021 provides for severe penalties, including substantial fines, for ISPs that fail to comply with the requirements of the law. SIM Card Registration Act (2020) This law requires all SIM card users to register their personal details, including name, address and identity card number, with telecoms operators. Elections The Laotian legislative elections of 2021 took place on February 21, 2021, to elect members of the 9th legislature of the National Assembly of Laos. Laos is a single-party state, where the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) is the only legal party and controls the entire electoral process. Elections in Laos are not considered free and fair, as all candidates are approved by the LPRP, and no significant opposition is allowed. INDONESIA LAO PDR This sub-decree was designed to strengthen government control over the Internet by requiring all Internet service providers to route their traffic through a centralised control point, the National Internet Gateway. Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia