Harakah will only regain media accreditation if govt changes - PAS

PAS believes the Information Department will only reissue a media accreditation card to its official media outlet, Harakah, when there is a change in government.

Its information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had previously assured him that the matter would be looked at, but, to date, there has been no progress.

“Last year, the media card was revoked, and the communications minister gave a written assurance that he would consider reinstating it. However, until today, nothing has happened.

“We believe there is no chance of getting the media card back unless there is a change in government,” he said during a PAS dinner with the media and influencers in Bangi yesterday.

Also present were PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and the party’s ulama’s wing chief Ahmad Yahaya.

Fadhli was discussing the challenges faced by certain media organisations, though he did not elaborate.

Previously, the Information Department revoked Harakah’s media accreditation, and Fahmi, during a Dewan Rakyat session in November last year, promised to discuss the issue with the department.

The Lembah Pantai MP acknowledged Harakah’s appeal to have the accreditation reinstated.

The revocation of Harakah journalists’ media cards was believed to be linked to an article the PAS mouthpiece published that included a photo of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim alongside the Israeli flag.

‘Govt afraid of media freedom’

Fadhli alleged that such actions reflected the government’s intent to stifle media freedom and public expression.

“Step by step, this government is moving towards a draconian culture, which shows they are afraid of media freedom.

“We will form a team and align the narrative within three years. I am confident the public will have no choice but to reject Pakatan Harapan and BN,” he said.

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