With reference to the comment by Zaid Ibrahim ( Case reaffirms need for Press Council ) we applaud the writer for capturing in such succinct terms the dilemma faced by Malaysian journalists and editors of conscience.

His views reflect a stand that we have specifically advocated since 1999, although the pursuit of press freedom in Malaysia has, of course, had a longer history.

In 1999 and 2000, journalists signed a two-part petition urging then Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to review the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984, with particular reference to repeal of the licencing provision.

In return, the signatories offered voluntary self-regulation of the press via an independent and impartial press council. This mechanism has yet to be established because there has been no effort to review the PPPA which, alongside the Official Secrets Act and other restrictive laws, hinder the workings of the Malaysian media.

The Malaysian Press Institute had, on a government directive, proposed a statutory body to oversee the media.

However, several journalists' groupings - and by now some key editors as well - firmly rejected the proposal on grounds that the industry should not be brought under yet another law while anti-press legislation is in place.

This impasse will remain until the executive accepts the reasonable aspirations of what already is a largely responsible press corps. In the meantime, voluntary but ad hoc attempts are in place to reinforce ethical practice among new and serving journalists.

We hope that parliamentarians will take the time to read and correctly understand the full significance of Zaid's comments and then act boldly to bring about effective legislative reform in consultation with journalists, the media industry and civil society groups.

Additionally, they could support a freedom of information legislation to ensure that the media and citizens are able to place the truth where it belongs - in the public domain.

The writer is a coordinator for Inisiatif Wartawan, a press freedom group comprising journalists.