The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has criticised Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for threatening the media.

CIJ director Sonia Randhawa ( right ) said this in relation to Zahid's remark that he "knew what to do" if The Sun did not retract a report about him.

The report had quoted Zahid as saying that non-Malays were getting arrogant.

"Given that the home minister has the power to suspend or revoke newspapers' licences under the Printing Presses and Publications Act, this statement is a threat to The Sun and its journalist.

"CIJ states categorically that if the minister believed that his remarks had been mistranslated or taken out of context, he should have contacted The Sun and requested a correction.

"There is no need to make ominous threats. This intensifies the culture of fear in a media climate that is already classified as 'not free' by international press organisations," she said in a statement today.

Sonia said the threat came amid a sedition probe against Malaysiakini journalist Susan Loone for her report on Penang exco member Phee Boon Poh.

Loone was investigated by police over her story which quoted Phee as saying that he was treated like a criminal while in police custody.

Phee was arrested for his role as head of the state government sponsored Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) which the federal government has declared an illegal organisation.

Sonia said the recent developments "constitute a backtracking of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's commitment to a 'strong and vibrant media' as an essential part of a mature democracy".