The Media should not be pressured to censor themselves as it plays an important role in a democratic system, said MCA’s publicity bureau chairperson, Chan Quin Er. Chan expressed concerns over the actions of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in evaluating critical reports of the government, stating that it could lead to erosion of media freedom. She called on the Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, to offer reassurances of safeguards to prevent similar actions by MCMC in the future.
The Malaysian Bar has also called for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA), stating that it is no longer relevant in a democratic society. The president of the Malaysian Bar, Karen Cheah, urged the government to establish an independent body to regulate the publication industry, including the press, to preserve fundamental liberties enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Cheah also pointed out that the ministry had only gazetted a prohibition order against 11 Swatch stores three months after the raids on the stores and the seizures of its Pride collection watches in May. She stated that any raid and seizure carried out by the ministry without a gazette in place would be unlawful and excessive. The Malaysian Bar expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations given by the Home Minister regarding the raids and seizures, stating that they lacked substance and did not adhere to due legal process.
On May 13 and 14, the ministry raided 11 Swatch stores in Malaysia and seized over 160 pieces of the Pride collection watches worth US$14,000 (RM64,400).
Credit: The Star : News Feed
