Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the government is prepared to review laws to provide more space for media freedom, while cautioning against defamation and provocation.
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is prepared to provide a more open space for media freedom, including considering a review of related laws, in line with the country’s maturity.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this freedom is not absolute, to prevent the spread of defamation and any form of extreme provocation touching on racial and religious sensitivities.
“I agree that we should give freedom because the country is maturing,” he said at the Meet Anwar dialogue session at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).
He said further discussions would be held with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil to study the proposal for a review of related laws.
Anwar was responding to a student’s question regarding reviewing media laws to avoid overlapping regulations and strengthen the Malaysian Media Council.
He noted the previous government had agreed in principle to strengthen journalism professionalism through the council as a self-regulatory body.
In his speech, the Prime Minister also called on the younger generation to reject any racial and religious sentiments to ensure the country’s stability and peace are maintained.
He said future leaders must dare to make the right decisions for the national interest even if the actions are unpopular.
Also present at the ceremony were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, and other cabinet members.
At the ceremony, Anwar presented a cheque replica for a RM40 million management expenditure grant to TAR UMT.
