Fahmi: Govt stands by journalists' right to ask questions

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil has emphasised Putrajaya’s stance respecting journalists’ right to ask questions, following a recent incident where a minister allegedly intimidated an Utusan Malaysia reporter after being queried during a programme.

Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said he had contacted the minister in question, who provided an “explanation,” after which the matter was again raised during the cabinet meeting today.

“In the meeting, I stated that the government’s stance is very clear - journalists have a right to ask any questions in carrying out their duties as journalists.

“Every answer or response given by a minister should also be delivered courteously and based on the principle of openness, while maintaining mutual respect between the media and the government,” Fahmi told a press conference at his ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya today.

When asked about the minister’s reaction to the matter being addressed during the cabinet meeting, Fahmi reiterated that he had conveyed the same message when the minister, whom he did not name, had earlier explained himself.

In response to a query on the details of the minister’s explanation, Fahmi said he would leave it up to the minister’s media team to provide their response to the situation.

Fahmi added that while there have been no specific directives issued to ministers instructing them against contacting media bosses, the government’s stance on the matter remains firm.

“When I conveyed my views in the cabinet meeting, I stated and stressed that the prime minister himself is open to receiving any questions, and the government’s position is that journalists have the right to ask any questions. That is the government’s stand,” he affirmed.

Learn from what happened

Questioned on whether he thinks the minister involved should issue an apology, Fahmi said: “My view is that we should learn from what has happened before.

“There’s room for (the minister) to meet with Utusan Malaysia directly to convey his message. He has informed me that he will meet the management to try to clear the air,” he added.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming yesterday drew flak from press groups when he appeared to intimidate the reporter during the pre-launch of the “I Lite U” project, held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

In response to the reporter’s question on why the theme of the project is in English, Nga explained that, as it was a tourism event, it was best to use English to attract international tourists.

However, Nga also said that he would contact the reporter’s chief editors concerning the question posed.

“I don’t want you to come here and highlight something that will spoil the whole thing. I will call your chief editors,” the minister said.

The National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia said the minister’s actions were not only unwarranted but can be deemed as an attempt to intimidate and stifle press freedom in Malaysia.

Echoing its sentiments, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) urged all parties - especially government leaders - to maintain decorum and respect reporters who are just doing their work.

Nga has since appeared to defend his actions, taking to X earlier today to state that while the objective of the project is to attract foreign tourists, his press conference and the Kuala Lumpur mayor’s speech were both delivered in Bahasa Malaysia.

Quoting a Malay idiom, Nga also implied that certain quarters are attempting to capitalise on the issue.

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