PH govt will not muzzle the press: Kepong MP

PETALING JAYA: Newly elected Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has assured media practitioners that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) led government will not muzzle with the press like how the previous federal government had done in the past.
Lim stressed that such assurance has been on numerous occasions by several PH leaders as well as in recent time by DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.
"We recognise the press as the fourth pillar in our country and they play an important role in ensuring that there is check and balance on whoever is in power.
"As such, the PH government will not muzzle with the press the way it has been suppressed under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government," Lim said in a statement.
Lim added that should there is any speculation or accusations against any individuals, there should be equal opportunity or time for the accused to answer and defend their positions.
Lim also suggested that press should start training its journalists to conduct investigative journalism as the reporting trend is now moving in that direction.
At the same time, the first term Kepong MP also mentioned that efforts are currently being made by the government to amend or repeal certain laws that curtail press freedom.
"Once done, press does not have to curry favour with anyone in the administration as we wants the media to be able to report any story without fear or favour.
"As we want fair and professional journalism to triumph in Malaysia, we welcome all sorts of criticisms from the press but we will not condone lies and fabrications as well as any individual who play on religious and racial issues," Lim said.