PKR Youth condemns the recent raids by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police on the premises of the Malaysiakini and The Star Online media outlets.

It has been alleged that this action was taken due to the outlets’ reports on the apparent transfer of a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor (DPP).

The DPP in question was said to be part of a team investigating the Finance Ministry’s subsidiary company, SRC International.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri has indeed confirmed that he was transferred within the MACC.

An independent media that is able to function without coercion or overbearing supervision from the state is essential for any country to be regarded as a democracy.

By their actions, the MCMC and police have damaged Malaysia’s credibility in this regard, as well as their own.

The affair is especially disturbing as the public will no doubt see the raids as linked to the ongoing controversies regarding the federal government.

The MCMC and police must therefore immediately and comprehensively clarify why they saw the need to take such actions, lest public confidence in them be eroded even further.

The pattern of draconian actions on public institutions and critics must stop immediately.

NIK NAZMI NIK AHMAD is PKR Youth chief.