An academician at a forum organised by the Malaysian Press Institute today agreed that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should accord the media with more freedom to seek his responses on issues linked to state investment fund 1MDB.

This is because the media, when seeking responses from the authorities, is representing the people's voice, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) deputy vice-chancellor Prof Adnan Hussein said.

"The press represents the people's voice and the people want answers," Adnan told reporters after speaking as a panellist at the forum titled "Mendepani cabaran agenda media antarabangsa" (Facing challenges of foreign media agenda).

But at the same time, he cautioned that there is always a possibility for a press conference "to turn ugly" if any journalist insisted on only getting "his or her version of the truth".

"The room (to question) must be there, but at the same time, we do not know if all parties (from the media) will have the same intention (to represent the people)," Adnan (photo) said.

"There will be no amount of press releases or press conferences that could answer (questions) if you come with a mindset that you don't want to believe what is being told.

"Whatever the truth is given, they will not be satisfied..." Adnan said when asked to comment on an earlier suggestion by a fellow panellist, Aat Surya Sufaat from Indonesia's national news agency, Antara.

Aat had, during the forum, suggested that there should be greater engagement between foreign media and the local government or authorities.

Among others, he said, the media should never be seen as an enemy and constant engagements should be done, either through regular press conferences or press releases on current issues.

Too many 'no comments' on an issue

Aat also suggested that too many "no comments" on an issue could impact the person's credibility.

In context of foreign media reports on 1MDB, Adnan said the whole issue was complicated and it would not be not easy to dismiss all the facts or allegations made.

"Maybe there are a lot of things that we do not understand or realise.

"I dare not go into the details. 1MDB has its own purpose, but (the issue) does not stray from elements of corruption, abuse of power or a wrong business decision made," Adnan said.

Critics have repeatedly challenged Najib to file a legal suit against The Wall Street Journal for its exposes on the troubled state investment fund.

Earlier during the forum, Adnan had raised caution over certain Western media outlets, particularly from America, for allegedly amplifying the Zionist agenda - citing as example reports on the Palestinian conflict.

Among others, he claimed that Zionist interests were furthered by certain Western media outlets via links to their owners or the involvement of pressure groups in the US.

"My point is that these so called foreign agenda is real. That is my stand," Adnan said, adding that the local alternative media should also be careful against being used as an alleged extension of the Zionist agenda.

The one-day forum, held at Royale Chulan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, was also in conjuction with the Malaysian Press Institute's 50th anniversary.