PKR today refuted Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak’s claim that Prime Minister Najib Razak allowed for more free speech than Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia’s press freedom rankings had slid during Najib’s term.

Malaysia was placed 144th out of 180 countries in this year’s Reporters Without Borders press freedom ranking. Last year, Malaysia was 146th, compared to 104th out of 166 countries in 2003 and 122 out of 167 countries in 2004.

Najib became prime minister in 2009 after Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stepped down. Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down in 2003.

Fahmi said several media outlets, including The Edge, Sarawak Report, The Malaysian Insider and Asia Sentinel were blocked or suspended since Najib became premier.

“These media were pressured due to their reporting on 1MDB.”

He said since Salleh was appointed as communications and multimedia minister, several people, including graphic artist Fahmi Reza and cartoonist Zunar, have been arrested and hauled to court for commenting or criticising Najib on social media.

“Clearly, comparing the past and present, free speech for Malaysians is shrinking as they are prevented from criticising leaders such as Salleh’s boss,” said Fahmi.

He urged Salleh to stop issuing statements to please his boss and work  harder to repair and strengthen free speech and media freedom in Malaysia for the people.

“Salleh’s statement is not based on fact or reference. It’s a desperate statement as Pakatan Harapan is growing stronger and prepared to face the 14th general election.

“It’s just political rhetoric to display Salleh’s loyalty to his boss in the lead-up to GE14,” said Fahmi.

Salleh said in his blog yesterday that Najib had allowed Dr Mahathir to slander and insult him without taking any action against the former prime minister.

“Dr Mahathir would not have tolerated 10% of what he’s doing to Najib.” he said in response to Dr Mahathir’s promise to restore free speech at Bersatu’s inaugural annual general meeting in Shah Alam yesterday. – December 31, 2017.