NUJ urges Govt to repeal Printing Act
PETALING JAYA: The Government should keep its pledge to repeal the Printing, Presses and Publishing Act 1984 (PPPA) and similar laws and regulations that hamper press freedom in Malaysia, says the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ).
Such laws posed a threat to journalists in the country, NUJ secretary-general Chin Sung Chew said in a statement yesterday.
“Repealing PPPA will ensure that all efforts are done in line with the democratic process.
“The NUJ wishes to prompt the new government on its pledge ‘10 Promises in 100 Days’ and we look forward to all of it being fulfilled,” he added.
Chin said Malaysia’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index had dropped annually under the previous administration.
He also said the NUJ was willing to work with the new government in all matters relating to the media industry and its practitioners.
“Reviewing and repealing, if necessary, all relevant laws immediately will not only improve the media industry’s role and professionalism, but also boost its standard at the global level.
“Therefore, NUJ sincerely hopes that the Pakatan Harapan government will rectify and amend vari- ous laws and regulations that are detrimental to the profession and stifling the development of press freedom.
“We welcome any effort by the Government to engage media owners, practitioners and various organisations representing journalists to discuss this issue,” Chin added.
In another statement, the International Federation of Journalists also called on the Government to guarantee press freedom in Malaysia by “repealing laws that continue to impede and hamper press freedom and freedom of expression in Malaysia”.