Mahathir accuses PN govt of impinging press freedom
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government of impinging on press freedom.
In a video interview with Hong Kong-based business news website Investvine published yesterday, he claimed that the government had been “directing” the media on what and what not to publish.
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government of impinging on press freedom.
In a video interview with Hong Kong-based business news website Investvine published yesterday, he claimed that the government had been “directing” the media on what and what not to publish.
“Now it would seem that the government is less liberal, less willing to allow even mild criticism of the government.
“For example, one of these private news agencies was told they should not show a picture of me. Because once they made a mistake, they wanted to show a picture of the YDP Agong, but I was there [...] they were warned not to do this again,” he alleged.
Not naming any names, Mahathir further alleged that a journalist had been transferred out for unfavourable coverage.
“In one case, a journalist was asked to be moved out because he was writing things not to the liking of the government.
“So today, although there appears not to be (media) censorship, but actually the censorship is thru directing the local press not to publish certain things,” he claimed.
In contrast, Mahathir said the Pakatan Harapan administration had upheld press freedom.
‘Loss of faith’ in Petronas
Meanwhile, Mahathir questioned the recent departure of Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin as chief executive officer of national oil and gas giant Petronas.
“Recently I found that they were forced to do things they didn't like.
“And when they did not perform as the government tells them to, the head - who has been there a long time (and is) a very good man who has done very well - has been removed,” he said when asked about the independence of regulatory bodies and government-linked companies.
Reuters previously speculated that Wan Zulkiflee had resigned as he disagreed with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin over a plan to pay RM2 billion in sales tax to Sarawak. Petronas refuted the report.
“With Petronas, a lot of people are very disappointed and feel that this removal of the head is not something that should be done. I think they have lost faith in the ability of Petronas to function on its own,” he added.
Mahathir’s query echoes opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s call for PN to explain whether it had interfered with Wan Zulkiflee’s removal.
In a bid to demonstrate the independence of regulatory bodies during the Harapan administration, the Langkawi MP shared how Bank Negara governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus had once declined his request to pay government debts using reserve funds.
“She is very independent, she will not take any directive from the government, she has her own ideas. And even I could not influence her to help out in our loans.
“We had to pay a huge amount of debt incurred by Najib’s government. The central bank had a huge reserve that could finance eight months of retained imports [...]
“We wanted to use that money to pay off our debts, she just said no. She has some of the biggest reserves compared to any other central bank,” he recalled.
“But some others are much more pliable, for example, Petronas,” he added.
All the ills in this country boils down to a man 95 years of age,due to him many righteous and good man lost their jobs.Men with calibre and integrity who would have moved the nation forward.Alas it is not to be.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.