Allow the press to do their job, says Malaysian Bar

Journalists should not be prevented from doing their work, says the Malaysian Bar.

Its president Karen Cheah Yee Lynn said reporters and journalists play a pivotal role and must be allowed to do their job without fear of intimidation, assault or harassment.

“Press freedom is the hallmark of a mature democracy. News carried by them sheds light on the workings of our public institutions,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.

She added that a responsible and free press informs on public affairs and educates the public through sparking intellectual debate and discussion, which facilitates good governance.

“Press freedom is interconnected with the right and freedom of speech and expression under Article 10 of our Federal Constitution.

“Malaysia’s placing in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders plummeted from 101 to 119,” she said, adding that this downgrade is a reminder to all that freedom of the press is endangered and more must be done to ameliorate the situation.

On the incident at UTC Pudu (as shown in a viral video), she said the behaviour of the security guard served no purpose other than to intimidate the press and public.

“The press should be permitted to do their job. Open dialogue should not be suppressed.

“After the incident, the police decided that there was no criminal element in the harassment of reporters, merely an hour after one of the reporters gave her statement, only to reclassify and investigate the case under section 160 of the Penal Code several days later,” she said, adding that the Malaysian Bar believes that an external oversight body that would hold the police accountable for its behaviour, such as an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), could diminish such hasty decisions.

She added that the media could lodge a complaint with the IPCMC if reports are mishandled or there is inaction by the police.

She added that the Malaysian Bar firmly supports press freedom and freedom of expression when legitimately exercised in good faith.

“Such rights cannot be wantonly sacrificed without proper reasoning,” she said.