PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has been tasked by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to come up with suggestions to the Cabinet to address laws that are regressive to media freedom.
Anwar said the MMC, which regulates the local media industry, has an important role to play in strengthening media freedom in the country.
"The MMC has a task to advise specific legislations or provisions that limit freedom.
"Convey this to the Cabinet and Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (Communications Minister) to take the recommendations up," said Anwar during a briefing with editors-in-chief of media companies and senior journalists at Seri Perdana on Wednesday (Dec 17).
Anwar also said the newly-established MMC will give its advice to the government on ways to enhance media freedom in the country.
"Not the Home Ministry, but let the MMC advise us on what is the line that should be drawn," added Anwar.
ALSO READ: Media council lauds govt’s stand on press freedom
Among the laws that are deemed repressive to media freedom are the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) Act, the Sedition Act and the Official Secrets Act.
The Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 26.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the government will take firmer steps from next year onwards to address sensitive and controversial issues, such as those related to language and race.
"Next year, the time has come for us to move forward more boldly. Delayed issues considered sensitive or controversial must be confronted with firmness and courage.
"This includes the enforcement agencies' effectiveness and decisiveness in taking action as well as ensuring that regulatory processes are complied with," he said.
"On issues of race, language, and economy, we must respond more firmly. We cannot play on racial and religious sentiments till it hinders the nation's progress.
"If we continue using the race and colour card, we will never get anywhere. That is why it is time for us to be firm, including on the issue of language," said Anwar.
At the same time, Anwar said the government remains committed to strengthening Bahasa Melayu as the national language, while recognising the importance of English and other languages.
Anwar said the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) issue has been frequently politicised despite his consistent position on the matter.
"Respect the need to understand our history and language. That's it. Then you can have UEC, I have no problem with that," added Anwar.
The UEC recognition issue recently came into the spotlight following calls by DAP leaders.
