THE forthcoming establishment of the Malaysia Media Council is expected to serve as a vital mechanism for addressing sensitive and contentious issues involving media organisations, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Speaking at his weekly press briefing in Angkasapuri on Thursday, Fahmi said the council would provide a structured and independent platform to manage media-related disputes, including the recent case involving a local Chinese-language newspaper that published an incomplete image of the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang.
“We hope that once the Media Council is in place, it will serve as the appropriate platform to address such issues,” he said. “However, as the council is still in the process of being set up, we are handling the matter directly for now.”
He added, Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, had met with the management of the newspaper in question, and that law enforcement authorities had been notified and investigations were underway.
The newspaper has since apologised for publishing a front-page image of the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon symbol, attributing the mistake to a technical error.
The Malaysia Media Council Bill 2024, passed in the Dewan Rakyat in February, marks the culmination of over five decades of discussions on establishing an independent self-regulatory body to safeguard the rights and responsibilities of the press and media professionals in the country.
In light of the recent incident, the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR) will soon organise a briefing session for media organisations to ensure proper and respectful usage of the Jalur Gemilang in media content.
“These sessions, scheduled within the next two weeks, are intended to prevent mistakes that could tarnish the image of the national flag,” Fahmi said. “All accredited media professionals, press secretaries, and heads of corporate communications are required to attend.”
Opposition-led States Not Sidelined in Federal Allocations
Separately, Fahmi stressed that the federal government has not marginalised opposition-led states in development allocations.
He pointed to significant increases in federal funding across several states, including Terengganu, where allocations rose sharply from RM1.57 billion in 2023 to RM2 billion in 2024.
“The government’s principle remains unchanged: public development must take precedence, irrespective of the political leadership in any given state,” he said.
Quoting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Fahmi reiterated that federal assistance would reach wherever it is needed. “We will not sideline any state simply because it is governed by a different political party,” he said.
He added that the increased allocations are a reflection of the MADANI government's commitment to social justice and equitable national development.
The prime minister had also recently addressed the same issue during Aidilfitri celebrations in Kuantan, Pahang and Bachok, Kelantan, in response to lingering perceptions that opposition-led states were being overlooked in federal policies. - April 17, 2025
