KUDOS to the government for fulfilling one of its election promises, which is to repeal the Anti-Fake News Act of the previous administration.
One significant reform that the new political era in Malaysia must usher in is free press and freedom of speech.
Such freedom implies the absence of interference from the state, and its preservation is guaranteed through constitutional and other legal protections.
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will outline Malaysia’s foreign policy at the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month.
The timing is no coincidence. Malaysia is recognised today by the international community as one of the nations where the transition of political power from a 61-year-old government occurred through a peaceful electoral process.
Fifteen years ago, Dr Mahathir, as our then prime minister, also addressed the General Assembly. At that time, the concept of globalisation was gaining momentum. It was seen as a paragon of virtue by powerful and wealthy nations, but as an unmitigated evil by poorer countries.
Dr Mahathir, addressing the international community on that occasion and a year earlier at the UN International Labour Oganisation (ILO) Conference (an event, as an ILO official then, I coordinated) called for greater understanding, fair play, mutual support and, above all, openness in the process of interaction and integration between people, companies and governments.
The free flow of information is crucial for people to make decisions.
In a democracy, a free press and free speech are means by which people participate in and benefit from decisions that affect them.
Of course, freedoms must be accompanied by responsibility.
One must exercise one’s rights without infringing on others’ rights or their way of life.
Dr Mahathir has maintained that openness and freedom must be for the benefit of everyone.
RUEBEN DUDLEY
Petaling Jaya, Selangor