DAP wishes to extend condolences to the family of MGG Pillai who passed away on April 28. Pillai's death should spur journalists to continue his pursuit of press freedom and freedom of information by seeking not only the abolition of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and the Internal Security Act (ISA) but also the enactment of a Freedom of Information Act.

Pillai had a storied career as a journalist and was one of the few Malaysians who served as a war correspondent (Reuters) during the Vietnam War. He was amongst the first to launch an Malaysian Internet discussion group Sangkancil in 1995. In 1994, instead of writing news, he made news when he was ordered to pay RM2 million in defamation damages to Malaysian entrepreneur Vincent Tan. Undaunted, he created legal history when he succeeded in getting the Federal Court to review its earlier ruling by already retired chief justice Eusoff Chin that he must pay the RM2 million damages

Pillai was not without his faults. He frequently lamented about the evil grip racial prejudice and religious extremism had on Malaysian society and which haunted our development. Yet he was sometimes guilty of very excesses he criticised. However, no Malaysian can dispute his courage and steadfastness for press freedom and freedom of information.

His passing four days before World Press Freedom Day 2006 today leaves us sadder but not necessarily poorer if we can continue his dream of press freedom that can improve society, correct its injustices, expose corruption, uphold rule of law and strengthen democracy. For Malaysia to be able to stand up proudly and enjoy World Press Freedom Day, the PPPA must be the first act to be abolished.

The PPPA has curtailed press freedom to the extent that newspapers like the Sarawak Tribune have been closed, the evening editions of Guangming Daily and the Sarawak Evening Post (Chinese) suspended, two senior editors of China Press forced to resign, Oriental Daily's printing permit delayed and the party organs of opposition parties severely restricted.

Self-censorship has indeed been refined to such an art that even the censors could not perform any better. PPPA carries out a far more insidious function of imposing self-censorship amongst newspaper editors. Through the requirement of annual renewals of their publishing permits, newspapers not only parrot the government's position and black out unfavourable news but even distort or spread lies about opposition parties.

Such abuses and restrictions are even more oppressive during general elections. Democratic elections are supposed to be about voters making informed decisions on their 'wakil rakyats' and the future leadership and direction of the country. However, how can voters make an informed decision (as in the coming Sarawak state elections) when voters are not given the opportunity to hear both sides?

Press freedom in Malaysia has deteriorated to such an extent that even former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad complains of news blackouts and that his statements are twisted. Mahathir even claimed that such news blackouts were never so bad when he was prime minister as he never directed certain news not to be printed.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must strike a different path and prove Mahathir wrong by abolishing the PPPA and its supporting legislation like the ISA and OSA. Abdullah had indicated that he is more liberal but he should back up his rhetoric with action by enacting a Freedom of Information Act and removing all legislation and impediments that curb fundamental human rights of freedom of the press and expression.

The writer is secretary-general of the DAP.