Malaysia's worst ranking in Reporters Without Borders 2007

"That the House gives leave to Ketua Pembangkang YB Lim Kit Siang to adjourn the House under S.O. 18 (1) to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance -- Malaysia's worst-ever ranking in Reporters Without Borders (RSF) worldwide press freedom index 2007.

"Malaysia scored two 'worsts' in the index -- the sharpest plunge of 32 spots from last year's 92 to 124 placing, which is also Malaysia's worst ranking in the RSF annual worldwide press freedom ranking since it was started in 2002.

"Last year, when Malaysia jumped 21 spots to 92nd ranking from the previous year's 113rd position, there was a lot of self-congratulations in government and mainstream media circles.

"This year, Malaysia cannot make the same claim of scoring higher than all the other Asean countries, as we are behind Cambodia (85) and Indonesia (100) while in the Asia-Pacific region, we are behind Taiwan (32), Japan (37), South Korea (39), Hong Kong (61), Timor-Leste (94), Bhutan (116) and India (120).

"Malaysia's drop and placing for this year's RSF 2007 worldwide press freedom index would have been worse if the shocking development that the Prime Minister does not want to hear the truth from the media and the public had been taken fully into account.

"Malaysia's worst placing in the RSF 2007 worldwide press freedom index joins a lost list of indicators that all is not right with Malaysia on the occasion of our 50th Merdeka anniversary -- a sober reminder that while we should be proud of our national achievements, we have greater reason to be concerned about our many national failings, in particular the failure to honour the Barisan Nasional's pledge in 2004 general election for openness and reform as well as the urgent need for a Freedom of Information Act and to dismantle undemocratic and oppressive laws."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Press
• Freedom
• Malaysia
• RSF
• 2007

[ccyap1]

Good speed !