Although the government welcomes criticism from the media, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek reminded the media today that it should be fair in explaining government's policies and highlighting its achievements.

"While the government welcomes criticism from the media, they must be constructive and not destructive. Being constructive means criticising and exposing the faults of the government when it deserves to be criticised.

chua soi lek debate lim guan eng "But, at the same time, the media must be fair and without prejudice explain government actions and policies that are good and also highlight the achievements of the government of the day as deserved," Chua said in a statement issued in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day.

He said policies and initiatives carried out by the government were not without weaknesses and therefore the media had a role to play in helping to monitor and correct these weaknesses.

"The necessary feedback from the media will help the government in formulating and relooking at its various programmes and policies which are always structured with the rakyat in mind."

Chua cited the Printing Presses and Publication Act, which had been "liberated" by the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, freeing the print media from the constrain of renewing their annual licence.

"With the amendment to the Act, the home minister does not have the absolute discretion over the granting, refusal, suspension or revoking of printing permits and publishing licences.

"This is a very important step forward in press freedom and providing a level playing field for the traditional mainstream media and the new media, which is not governed by any regulation," he said.

Chua also called on the authorities concerned to investigate the alleged police assaults on journalists during the Bersih 3.0 rally last Saturday.

"Those responsible must be dealt with seriously. Journalists must be allowed to perform their duties without being hampered, threatened or injured," he added.