WAN express its serious concern about restrictions to press freedom in Malaysia and continuous pressures on the media and believes that the new Government has a unique opportunity to influence the introduction of a new era for media pluralism and freedom in the country if it rapidly takes measures in this direction.

The lifting of the suspension of two popular opposition newspapers, Harakah and Suara Keadilan, imposed by the previous government in March this year, represents a first step in ensuring this freedom and the media’s role in representing a plurality of opinions and diverse political views. However, the new government has also taken repressive measures towards freedom of expression by arresting more than 80 opposition politicians, human right and press freedom activists, and journalists, publicly opposed to the government’s takeover of the northern state of Perak legislative assembly.

WAN believes that the Malaysian legislature and members of the Government have a critical role to play in creating a sound legal and business environment in which the independent press, both national and regional, can sustain and develop. WAN invites Prime Minister Najib Razak to take all necessary steps to firmly commit to the rule of law and ensure that media environment is created that promotes international standards of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.