Era of blindly following orders has passed, CIJ tells cops over Mkini ban

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) expressed concerns over Malaysiakini being barred from covering a police event yesterday despite receiving an invitation earlier.

“We are no longer in the era of ‘aku yang menurut perintah’ (blindly following orders).

"And this arbitrary denial of Malaysiakini’s access to the event raises serious concerns about the transparency in Bukit Aman’s decision-making process,” its executive director Wathshlah Naidu said in a statement.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini journalists were barred from covering the event in Kuala Lumpur that was supposed to feature Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain.

The “PDRM Special Dialogue II” event began with closed-door discussion sessions between the Bukit Aman Narcotics Department and stakeholders, including other law enforcement agencies under the Home Ministry and Finance Ministry.

The media was supposed to be able to cover the launch by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail scheduled at 12.30pm.

However, at around 11am, a press officer for Bukit Aman told Malaysiakini journalists that they were not allowed to enter the event despite being invited.

Later after the launching event, Malaysiakini was allowed to cover a press conference held by Saifuddin together with Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and Home Ministry secretary-general Ruji Ubi.

Meanwhile, Wathshlah reminded the authorities that all public servants are accountable to the public as they are paid using taxpayers’ money.

She also noted that the officer in charge was unable to justify the decision to bar Malaysiakini journalists, adding it reflects a broader attempt to suppress reporting that does not align with state agendas.

“This exclusion undermines the role of the media as a critical watchdog and sets a troubling precedent for media freedom in Malaysia,” Wathshlah added.

Ministers must explain

She then urged Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to provide an explanation and urged the government to establish the Malaysian Media Council soon to address these issues.

"We hope that our allies, Malaysiakini and the media as a whole can receive justice and fairness as promised by the Madani government,” she said.

The police action yesterday also drew brickbats from several press groups and MPs, with Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) urging the police to name the person who gave the instruction to bar Malaysiakini reporters from the event.

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