WITH reference to the recent three-month suspension on Harakah and Suara Keadilan, Kedah Gerakan Youth feels there is a serious need to consider amendments to the Printing Presses &and Publication Act 1984 (PPPA) so as not to affect the media freedom in the country.
Kedah Gerakan Youth believes there are sufficient civil laws in our country that provide for recourse against defamatory statements, such as award of damages or injunctions against the publisher.
The wording, in particular Article 7 of the Act, is too wide in definition and is widely viewed as the source of erosion of media freedom in our country. This is also contrary to the provision in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which provides for “freedom of speech and expression.”
Furthermore, Malaysians are now better equipped to determine the accuracy of reporting in publications, with the existence of so many media channels, such as the internet, radio and television.
Any publication which is filled with inaccurate reporting would eventually “run out of business by natural death” as no Malaysian would want to buy its publications.
As such, we hope that our incoming prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, will, as soon as he takes office, set up a committee to review the contents of the Printing Presses & Publication Act 1984.
Tan Keng Liang
Youth Chief
Parti Gerakan Kedah
James says
It is sad to say that Mr Tan is the only one coming out of BN to state his stand against the death of Media Freedom after the Harakah and Suara Keadilan suspension. I agree with his comments that it is better to let the people decide the accuracy of the press….and should the paper bluff us, then don’t buy it.
Suresh says
The reason people cannot trust the mainstream media is because only those who are pro-government can be the mainstream media. Those not pro-government all kena suspension. And those not pro-Umno will also be barred from the Umno general assembly
A concerned malaysian says
Mr Tan,
Do you think Najib is going to take away his best weapon? You are asking the wrong question to the wrong person!
Vincent says
Not amend, but completely abolish the Act!
HJ Lim says
What do you expect? Even Umno doesn’t practise freedom of the media!
Jay says
Tell that to Umno first … you see what happened to their own assembly! But it is good to see at least there is someone in BN telling the government straight to their face!
Josh says
I am certain our new PM would set up a committee to review PPPA since it is Gerakan Youth who called for it. Otherwise, why would Gerakan continue to be in BN unless it can play the role of the conscience of the BN? I am certain giving the people freedom is in Najib’s highest priority.
James says
I agree with Josh. But did you notice that this is a call from Gerakan Youth Kedah and not the Gerakan Youth at national level or by Koh Tsu Koon? What happened to the rest?
Roger says
All chicken out and waiting to beg for a minister post from Najib!