KUALA LUMPUR: There is a need to improve media freedom in the country but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the country is tied to certain limitations such as the 3R (race, royalty, religion) factors.
Anwar told Dewan Rakyat that the government is tied to the opinion of the Malay Rulers regarding the 3R issues especially those who tried to disturb the public’s peace by raising such issues.
“While we allow people to discuss, the Conference of Malay Rulers are strict. We are tied to their stand that they do not permit or want anyone to criticise without any consequences.
“When you talk about criticism, I have a basketful of criticisms against myself. But no action has been taken. But if there are police reports lodged, then let the police deal with it,” he said when asked about the government’s effort to improve the media freedom performance in the country by Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang).
Anwar said the government believes that 3R issues should not prevent people from voicing their opinions.
But this should also come with the right to report and allow the authorities to investigate the matter.
On May 3, Malaysia dropped 34 places to 107th in the World Press Freedom Index this year.
According to the World Press Freedom Index 2024 report, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Malaysia’s score is 52.07.
Just one place behind Thailand (87th), Malaysia is second among Asean nations, with Indonesia in 111th place, followed by Brunei (117th), Singapore (126th), the Philippines (134th), Cambodia (151st), Laos (153rd), Myanmar (171st), and Vietnam (174th).
The index published on RSF’s website compares the level of media freedom in 180 countries and regions around the world.
