Pakatan Harapan to allow greater space for press freedom — Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakatan Harapan-led government has given an assurance to allow greater space to nurture press freedom in the country.

Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said Malaysia was now going through a political transition towards a mature democratic country, and the media plays a crucial role to realise that objective.

He said the government had been more nonchalant and willing to embrace the freedom of press after the 14th General Election.

“Journalists do not have to worry about receiving calls from the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) or other ministers.

“In fact, it is okay to hold more debates. Hopefully, no editors will be summoned anymore just because the pictures being used are less interesting,” he said at the Malaysian Press Night 2018 and presentation of the 2017 Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Journalism Awards on Friday night.

Also present were MPI chief executive officer Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya; veteran journalists Datuk A. Kadir Jasin and Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin; and head of the jury panel of the MPI-PETRONAS 2017 Journalism Awards, Datuk Yong Soo Heong.

A total of 20 categories were contested this year, among them Best Infographics, Best Editorial Cartoon, Outstanding News Report, Best Radio Report, Best News Portal Report, Outstanding Photo Essay and Best Investigative Journalism Report.