PETALING JAYA: The government has not taken steps to limit shares held by political parties in Malaysian mainstream media companies to 10 per cent, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.
Dr Mahathir, however, said he welcomed any efforts to prevent political parties or organisations from “polluting” media companies with their personal agendas.
He also said any attempts towards ensuring media freedom in Malaysia were a step in the right direction.
“That is one way to prevent the media from being manipulated by certain quarters. We find there are (individuals) trying to dominate the media for their own interests.
“But we have not implemented (this move),” he told reporters after chairing a Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council meeting at Menara Yayasan Selangor here today.
Dr Mahathir was responding to a recent news report that the Pakatan Harapan government is considering restructuring the ownership structure of Malaysian mainstream media companies by limiting the shareholding of political parties and other entities, including private companies, organisations or individuals to 10 per cent.
Quoting a source, the report said the move is in line with Putrajaya’s pledge to reform and accord greater freedom to the media.