PETALING JAYA: Offering courteous corrections to ensure factual accuracy and mutual understanding is a form of cooperation used to achieve the objectives of government policies and programmes, says the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
It said those responding to questions should also be given the space to provide answers to each query raised.
In a statement Friday (Oct 31), the ministry stressed that it always respects media freedom and appreciates the role it plays in delivering accurate information to the rakyat.
ALSO READ: Media has every right to query ministers, says Fahmi
The statement was issued after its minister Nga Kor Ming drew brickbats for reprimanding an Utusan Malaysia reporter at the pre-launch of the "I Lite U" project in Kuala Lumpur after he was apparently asked why the programme's name was in English instead of Bahasa Malaysia.
Nga then responded by asking the name of the reporter's media company and said he would "call your chief editors because this concerns national interests".
To this, the ministry explained that the press conference was held entirely in Bahasa Melayu, including the opening speech by the Kuala Lumpur Mayor.
“The ministry appreciates the contributions of local and international media for the coverage given, and respects the freedom of reporters to ask questions during press conferences,” it said.
