THE government today said media practitioners, including journalists, have the right to field any questions to a minister.
Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the issue of Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), Nga Kor Ming's reaction to local newspaper reporters as it went viral was discussed at the Cabinet meeting.
"Whatever the question, they are carrying out their duties as journalists.
"Every answer or response given by the minister must be delivered with prudence and based on the principle of openness as well as mutual respect between the media and the government," he told a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on Friday.
He said this in response to allegations that Kor Ming harassed a journalist after a question regarding the use of English.
Fahmi, who is also the Minister of Communications, said that before the meeting, Kor Ming had given him an explanation.
"He has expressed his views and I have also conveyed the same in the meeting. I leave it to him to respond further," he said.
When asked whether the minister would make a public apology to the journalist involved, Fahmi said the matter was left entirely to the Teluk Intan Member of Parliament.
“I believe there is still room for him to meet with Utusan Malaysia to clarify the situation,” he explained.
Fahmi also stressed that the government has never issued any directive limiting interaction between journalists and government officials.
"I don't know about that. What I stated in the meeting was that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself is open to receiving any questions.
"The government's stance remains the same, journalists have the right to ask any questions," he said.
He also reminded all parties to take the issue as a lesson to strengthen professional relations between the government and the media.
“We need to learn from what happened and continue to ensure that this spirit of openness and mutual respect is put into practice,” he said. - October 31, 2025
