Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
PETALING JAYA: Media advocacy groups criticised Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for threatening to close down newspapers which reported his speech at a recent closed-door forum in Malacca.
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive officer Masjaliza Hamzah said the minister's conduct was unbecoming, noting that the Printing Presses and Publication (PPPA) 1984 gave powers to the minister to revoke the permit of a publication.
“This law is irrelevant and the threat against the media is a clear example why the law has to be repealed,” she said.
“The law gives a lot of power to the minister and in this case, the power has clearly gotten to his head,” she added.
Zahid was reported to have made sensitive remarks at the forum. He also allegedly threatened media members and chased them out of the hall as it was a “closed door event.”
National Union of Journalist (NUJ) president Chin Sung Chew called on all media practitioners to stand united and not be cowed by such irrational behaviour.
“We are only exercising our duty as journalists. NUJ regrets Zahid’s unfriendly remarks,” he said adding that Zahid should not abused his position as Home Minister by threatening the media.
Prior to this, Zahid had warned a news portal not to spin his speeches.
The association of Chinese newspaper editors urged Zahid to retract his threat of closing down newspapers.
In a statement, they pointed out that the event, which was a "security briefing ceremony with community leaders," carried the federal and Malacca government emblems, therefore making it a government function.
Zahid will be defending his vice-president's post in the upcoming Umno polls. There are six candidates contesting the post.
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