KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated the government’s stance to guarantee press freedom in the country.
However, he said this freedom cannot be used to undermine the country’s unity and harmony, including by stirring up race, religion and royalty issues.
He said the government has supported and defended the rights and freedom of the press in providing reprimands and criticism, adding that this has been the case since before the country’s independence.
“My stance and that of my colleagues in the Cabinet is that no actions are taken or controls imposed on the freedom of journalists and the media to express opinions, feedback and criticism.
“I give an assurance that this spirit (of media freedom) remains, although this leads to some anxiety because of (the government’s) firmness in tackling issues related to security, chauvinistic beliefs and racism, or religious fanatic movements,” he said in his keynote address at the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards ceremony here today.
The MPI-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards is an annual event to recognise outstanding journalistic works throughout the year.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia is capable of becoming a great nation if local journalists can focus on reporting with the aim of ensuring peace and highlighting the country’s progress.
“The value of a successful journalist is one who works with feeling, confidence and passion for the profession.
“I believe Malaysia can become a great and strong nation if we focus on our goals for peace, economy, culture, religion and digital (advancement), but don’t be dragged into issues that divide us or show ignorance or arrogance to the point of eroding humanity,” he said.
Anwar also urged the people to improve their command of English without marginalising efforts to make Bahasa Malaysia the lingua franca.
He said as the official language in the Federal Constitution, Bahasa Malaysia continues to be upheld and implemented, but the importance of mastering English cannot be neglected.
"I have instructed Education Minister (Fadhlina Sidek) and the Higher Education Ministry to uphold the policy on Bahasa Malaysia, but, at the same time, to improve the mastery of English,” he said.
— Bernama
