KUALA LUMPUR – Following recent events surrounding news publications New Straits Times (NST) and The Edge, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that the current Umno-Bersatu government is eager to return the country to a period where there was no press freedom.
Anwar said the criminal charges filed against former and current editors of The Edge, as well as the abrupt replacement of the NST group editor following allegations of pressure applied by several senior Umno leaders, are reminiscent of the authoritarian and bullying tactics employed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) led government prior to the 14th general election (GE14) against the media practitioners.
“The period when there was an absence of media freedom allowed mega-scandals such as PKFZ (Port Klang Free Zone), 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) fiasco to take place, leading to the loss of billions of ringgit of public funds,” he said in a statement uploaded on his official Facebook page today.
“I am very concerned by attempts to intimidate journalists and to interfere in the operation of the free press in Malaysia.
“I ask all Malaysians to join in condemning these actions, which are a threat to our democracy.”
On Tuesday, The Vibes had reported that Ahmad Lokman Mansor was slated to be axed as NST group editor following alleged political interference from Umno bigwigs.
Lokman has since been replaced by Farrah Naz Karim, a journalist who formerly served at NST as its associate editor, and had recently served as an executive editor at its parent company Media Prima.
In the case of The Edge, the publication’s former editor-in-chief, Ahmad Azam Mohd Aris, was charged with two counts of criminal defamation and had claimed trial to both charges at the Petaling Jaya magistrates’ court.
The publication’s contributing editor, Shanmugam Murugasu, who is currently overseas, was also jointly accused in one of the charges, but was granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal pending his return to the country.
The charges were filed under Section 500 of the Penal Code on defamation, which carries a prison sentence of up to two years, or a fine or both.
Anwar took a jab at Umno saying the ruling party is launching an assault on the media “just as Umno leaders facing potential convictions in their corruption cases twist Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s arm to call for an election in November”.
He added that Umno’s chances of winning an election are hampered by honest and thorough reporting on Umno and Bersatu scandals such as the missing LCS, the flailing 5G deal under Digital Nasional Bhd, as well as the government’s dismal handling of the economic crisis and rising cost of living.
“Rather than deal with the scandals and problems, Umno predictably attacks the messenger.”
The PKR president refused to pass up the opportunity to condemn Ismail Sabri’s remarks on the issue of free press, saying it reflects the latter’s “say little and do even less” style of leadership.
“It is the job of the prime minister to inspire confidence in Malaysia.
“This includes confidence in the professionalism of our law enforcement and investigation agencies, and assurance that the freedom of the press will be protected.
“Without these pillars in order, confidence in our economy will wane, and investors will continue to shun Malaysia.”
He expressed assurance that he would stand by the country’s media professionals, while also vowing that Pakatan Harapan will preserve, protect, and enhance independence of the media through legal reforms and investing in the education and training of media professionals. – The Vibes, September 16, 2022
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