PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar has urged the police not to impose any restrictions on media organisations covering events organised by the enforcement body.
He also gave his assurances that he would immediately contact the police regarding the matter.
"Regarding the media, I will contact the police immediately to ensure there are no restrictions on the media, as was the case with Malaysiakini," he told the media after delivering a speech to enforcement officers at the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry on Friday (Aug 23).
Media outlets reported that the Malaysiakini portal was barred from covering a police event in Kuala Lumpur that was supposed to be attended by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain on Thursday (Aug 22).
The event, titled "PDRM Special Dialogue II," began with a closed-door discussion between Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and stakeholders, including other law enforcement agencies under the Home Affairs Ministry and the Finance Ministry.
The ban was imposed even though Malaysiakini had received an invitation via email from Bukit Aman, with the portal responding on the same day and providing the details of two journalists assigned to cover the event.
According to a Bukit Aman media officer, a screening process was conducted, and only those who received a second email invitation on Aug 21 were allowed to cover the event.
However, Malaysiakini journalists were later allowed to enter and cover a press conference involving Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, and the Home Affairs Ministry secretary-general Ruji Ubi. – Bernama
