KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 9 -- Malaysia's civic space remains "obstructed", with authorities continuing to target online critics, activists and protesters, according to a new report by the CIVICUS Monitor.

The report, "People Power Under Attack 2025", examines civic space conditions in 198 countries and territories, assessing citizens' ability to exercise freedoms of assembly, association and expression.

It highlights that the main violations across the Asia-Pacific include the detention of protesters and activists.

In Malaysia, authorities restricted protests, monitored literary events, banned books, and censored news outlets.

Bloggers and activists faced scrutiny for their online comments.

The Home Ministry invoked the Printing Presses an...