An international press freedom group has urged the authorities to revoke its order against Malaysiakini to take down an article and video linked to an alleged corruption scandal in Sabah.

“We urge the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) to rescind their takedown order against Malaysiakini and cease harassing the news outlet over corruption reporting.

“The government must ensure journalists can report freely on issues of public interest,” the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on X.

On Nov 17, MCMC requested Malaysiakini to “immediately remove” an article and video related to the alleged Sabah corruption scandal.

The video mentioned was that of Tempasuk assemblyperson Arsad Bistari, who complained about an “RM70 million project being blocked” and purportedly blamed the “old team” which consisted of state finance minister Masidi Manjun.

In a letter dated Nov 16, MCMC stated that the article and video could interfere with police investigations into the death threat against the whistleblower who provided the video, and compromise the safety and privacy of the individual.

The video is one of four published by Malaysiakini. MCMC did not mention the other recordings.

Tempasuk assemblyperson Arsad Bistari appears in the video MCMC requested to be taken down.

On the same day, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil denied instructing the MCMC on the matter, adding the police made the requests to the commission.

Probe graft, not reporters

Elaborating, CPJ head of Asia Beh Lih Yi reminded the authorities that they should be investigating the corruption allegations and stop targeting journalists for reporting critically or holding the powerful to account.

“Across Asia and the globe, journalists have been targeted simply for reporting, especially when it comes to issues like crime and corruption.

“This criminalisation of journalism must not become commonplace in Malaysia too,” she stressed.

Beh then urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to uphold his electoral pledges by protecting press freedom and cease any form of media intimidation that would drag Malaysia back to its authoritarian past.

“Journalists must be allowed to do their job, to report freely and safely on issues of public interest such as corruption, especially after the 1MDB scandal,” she added.

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