KUALA LUMPUR: Although criticisms towards the government or politicians are allowed, there is a limit to media freedom, particularly when it comes to sensitives such as race, religion and royalty, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said for example, he had been abused in every manner, but had not charged anyone who had hurled criticisms at him.
"I've been called the Antichrist, the dajjal, I've been called a Zionist agent. But there has been no charge, not even investigations.
"But when you touch on royalty, that is where you draw a line, a red line. In our constitutional monarchy system, the rulers or sultans are in no position to respond."
He said this in his interview with Al Jazeera news presenter Sami Zeidan, on 'Talk To Al Jazeera' aired earlier this morning.
Zeidan had asked Anwar for his comments on Malaysia's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index, which saw the country dropping 34 places from 73 last year to 107 this year.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said his government had not arrested any journalists nor banned any newspapers.
He added that for example, allegations that the King was involved or complicit with the Prime Minister to set up a casino had raised the sentiments of the people, and described the matter as unhealthy.
"It's defamatory. Secondly, you touch on an institution that is in no position to defend themselves. It is factually wrong.
"I've not been asked or there was not one single proposal to set up a new casino."
Previously, Anwar had denied any government plans to open a casino in Forest City, Johor.
This followed international media reports, particularly from Bloomberg, stating that Anwar had held meetings with Berjaya Corporation Bhd founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Genting Group's Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay to discuss the matter.
Anwar said while he agreed that there should be media freedom, making remarks which could incite riots in the country should not be allowed.
"(For example) you say in Malaysia only Muslims can become candidates in any elections. We have a 40 per cent non-Muslim population, where do we put them?
"So there's a limit. You have to have laws. It doesn't matter if we have to be downgraded, but what's important is that criticism is allowed.
"The issue is when you touch on sensitivities, for example condemning race, religion…you are inviting and inciting riots, and we cannot afford this in the country," he added.
