FREE speech is thriving in Malaysia, where the government respects its citizens’ right to voice their opinions more than most other countries in the region, says Prime Minister Najib Razak. 

Speaking at the 16th Asian Media Awards Gala Dinner in Kuala Lumpur this evening, Najib said his administration had removed the ban on opposition party newspapers by lifting the annual renewal requirement for a printing licence under the 1984 Printing Presses and Publications Act. The home ministry’s authority to block, allow or revoke licences could also be challenged via a judicial review, he said.

“You may sometimes have heard foreign activists talking about ‘crackdowns’ on free speech in Malaysia. But look at our press. You will find criticisms of the government, of our ministers, of our officials in our newspapers every day,” he said. 

He said there was more than enough criticism going around, likening the situation online and on social media to the “Wild West”. 

“Sometimes it is the opposition criticising ministers. Sometimes it is ministers criticising other ministers. Sometimes it is the opposition criticising one minister for not criticising another minister.

“Sometimes it is former ministers – or even a former prime minister – criticising certain opposition parties for not being critical enough; when these individuals used to criticise those same parties for criticising the government when they were in power. It gets very confusing!”

He said Malaysia was far from immune to the scourge of fake news, such as when former leaders talked about the country going bankrupt even though foreign countries had confidence in Malaysia.

“With freedom comes responsibility, and part of that responsibility is the need to counter what has become a plague: a plague of false and fake news.” – April 19, 2017.