GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia's standing in the World Press Freedom Index under the current unity government is still better compared to the previous administrations.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said, looking at the standing since 2017, the 107th standing now is still not too bad compared to 144th standing back in 2017.
Malaysia was at 145th place in 2018, 123rd place in 2019, 119th place in 2021 and 113th place in 2022.
"So, to be in the 107th standing, for me, it is not satisfactory but can still be considered not too bad.
"The standing now is still better compared to the previous administrations," he said when asked to comment on Malaysia's drop in the World Press Freedom Index.
It was reported that Malaysia's standing in the index produced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) declined by 34 places to 107th from its previous rank of 73rd.
The World Press Freedom Index 2024 reported that Malaysia's score now stood at 52.07 points compared to 62.83 last year.
Last year, Malaysia saw a notable leap of 40 places to 73rd in the World Press Freedom Index, compared to 2022 when it was positioned at 113th with 51.55 points.
The World Press Freedom Index 2024 reported that Malaysia's score now stood at 52.07 points compared to 62.83 last year.
This decline placed Malaysia below its neighbouring country Thailand (ranked 87th) and positions it as the second highest-ranking Asean country, surpassing Indonesia (111th), Brunei (117th), Singapore (126th), the Philippines (134th), Cambodia (151st), Laos (153rd), Myanmar (171st), and Vietnam (174th).
Fahmi said since the change in government, and the formation of the unity government, there were various quarters out there who purposely played on the 3R issues (race, religion and royalty).
He said there were also several websites which actions had been taken upon.
He said the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) informed them that they had either spread fake news or played up the 3R issues.
"The government will not compromise with the abuse of media freedom, more so if it involves spreading fake news or playing up the 3R issues.
"For other matters, we have no problem with that.
"At the same time, there are several netizens who have passed remarks," he added, noting that among them was Singapore's 126th standing, which might not reflect the actual reality of the Singaporeans.
"Similarly, if we look at countries at higher standings, their situation may be very different.
"Yes, in their Parliament, they may be more like Sweden. I am made to understand that their lawmakers have a strong stand against Islam.
"For me, that is confusing," said Fahmi.
"Yes, there are several personalities who have compared Malaysia with Israel. Israel killed the people of Gaza. So, why are you comparing Malaysia with Israel?
"Perikatan Nasional's Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said we are worse than Israel. We did not kill anyone," he added.
Fahmi said, until now, no one journalist has been arrested or thrown into prison, not newspapers companies ordered to close.
"Even if Wan Saiful wants to resort to propaganda, I hope he thinks about what is happening.
"During the time of Perikatan Nasional, parliament was shut. That is not propaganda but a fact.
"Not newspapers, but parliament itself is shut.
"So, before Wan Saiful said anything more, he should show remorse as the darkest period of democracy was under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The leader of his party," he said.
Wan Saiful, who is Tasek Gelugor member of parliament, had blamed Fahmi for the drop in Malaysia's standing in the World Press Freedom Index.