SHAH ALAM: In a candid address, outspoken Pas leader Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor voiced his concerns today, asserting that the democracy of the media in the country is eroding.
Speaking in support of a motion by a Pas delegate advocating for the defence of media freedom and the freedom to participate in association and politics, the Kedah Menteri Besar accused the government of imposing stringent restrictions on news that criticises the leadership of the federal administration.
Sanusi contended that this development has led to the public questioning the actual role of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police.
"There were a number of incidents involving the arrest made by the MCMC. I want to start with the prerequisites of setting up a democratic government.
"The Madani government guaranteed and promised freedom of responsible speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly and association.
"From these democratic prerequisites, there is kemandulan (an erosion) of (media) democracy via extreme restrictions, the shutdown of media portals without valid reason and limitation of access (to freedom of news)," said Sanusi in his speech at the Pas' 69th Muktamar (general assembly) at the Ideal Convention Centre here today.
Furthermore, Sanusi raised concerns about whether the country is moving towards becoming a 'police nation' due to the use of police actions to restrict content on social media and news portals.
"Are we heading towards becoming a police nation as the police are being used to restrict contents on the social media and (news) portals," he claimed.
Sanusi also recounted an incident involving a minister who issued a warning of police action against those who criticised him on social media, without disclosing the minister's name.
"During a 'live' session on a social media platform, a minister warned social media users when the minister said, 'You can comment, but police will wait at your front door.
"What sort of minister is this? `koyak (defensive)'. `Naik gerek ja pandai (that minister is only good at riding a bicycle)'," said Sanusi, without naming the minister he was referring to.
Sanusi also claimed that the government would take down any news containing the terms 'peliwat' (sodomiser) and 'lelaki rogol lelaki' (men who molest other men).
He mentioned a reminder from a group of eight prominent and veteran journalists to the MCMC, cautioning against adopting a "Big Brother" role by blocking online media content.
"Tan Sri Johan Jaafar, Datuk A Kadir Jasin, Datuk dr Chamil Wariya, Datuk Husammuddin Yaacob, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang have issued a reminder to the Madani government: Don't be a big brother," he said.
