Proposed PPPA changes: Teresa urges openness to guard press freedom

DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok has expressed serious concern over reports of proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

According to statements from multiple media organisations, the Home Ministry’s proposed changes could increase media oversight and penalties, including reinstating the requirement for media licence renewals, expanding the definition of “publications,” and imposing harsher criminal penalties.

These measures would pose a significant threat to press freedom in Malaysia, said the Seputeh MP in a statement today.

Kok stated that if these amendments are true, they could further undermine Malaysia’s already fragile press freedom and betray the reformist government’s commitment to transparency and openness.

She warned that such regressive policies would not only weaken the media’s role as a democratic watchdog but also lead to stricter restrictions and penalties for online platform users and media professionals.

“Press freedom is a cornerstone of a democratic society. As a government committed to reform, we cannot allow any amendments to become tools for curbing media freedom,” she said.

Erosion of trust

Kok urged the Home Ministry to be transparent in the matter. Despite the potentially far-reaching impact of the amendments on media organisations, journalists, and the public, the ministry has not released a draft of the proposed amendments or conducted extensive public consultations, including with backbench MPs.

She described this closed-door decision-making approach as contrary to democratic principles and warned it could erode public trust in the government’s integrity.

The Seputeh MP called on the Home Ministry to take the following immediate steps:

1) Publish the draft amendments to ensure transparency

- The government must clearly outline the purpose and specifics of the proposed amendments to address public concerns.

2) Engage stakeholders and gather feedback

- The amendment process should include input from media organisations, journalists, civil society groups, and legal experts to ensure decisions are fair and well-informed.

3) Respect press freedom and honour reform commitments

- All amendments must prioritise protecting media independence and press freedom rather than using strict laws to suppress media voices.

Kok emphasised that press freedom represents the voice of the people and the conscience of society.

“Any measures to weaken it would undermine Malaysia’s aspirations for a more open and democratic society.”

She vowed to continue defending press freedom in Parliament, ensuring that every government decision aligns with democratic principles and reflects the spirit of the reform agenda.

Media rights groups were alarmed by Putrajaya’s purported proposal to amend the act, which included imposing a licensing requirement for online media.

In a joint statement yesterday, National Union Journalists Malaysia (NUJM), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) condemned the move and labelled it another form of restricting press freedom.

“According to the information received, the amendments by Home Ministry include reinstating the requirement for licence renewal (every three years) and expanding the definition of publication to include digital and electronic content.”

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