MCA Youth has observed that investigations into the media are carried out with great speed and severity, yet probes into corruption cases move at a far slower pace. We therefore criticises the Madani government for descending into what can only be described as a “government silencer”.
Recently, the police were reported to have visited the Kuala Lumpur branch of Bloomberg, requesting to meet two journalists who had written investigative reports concerning the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
MCA Youth questions whether this reflects the enforcement norm since the Madani Government took office—acting swiftly against those who question the government, yet responding sluggishly when allegations of abuse of power arise.
Based on publicly reported news, during the tenure of the Madani government, there have been several cases involving investigations or seizures targeting journalists, media organisations, or independent content creators:
In Aug 2024, several journalists from Malaysiakini were summoned by the police for questioning over reports concerning reshuffles among senior police officers, on the grounds of investigating alleged leaks or dissemination of internal documents.
In January 2025, senior personnel from Malaysiakini were questioned by police, and computers and other equipment were seized for investigation. Reports indicated that the case was linked to a news article involving a political figure or a sensitive issue.
The police invoked laws related to communications and multimedia, despite the organisation maintaining that the report fell within the scope of journalistic duty.
In January 2026, former Free Malaysia Today journalist Rex Tan was arrested and detained for investigation.
According to news reports, the case involved commentary or reports he had previously written or published, allegedly touching on provisions under sedition or multimedia laws, raising concern within the media fraternity about the narrowing space for free expression.
In February 2026, police visited the office of Bloomberg in connection with investigative reports concerning the MACC and its head honcho Azam.
These cases demonstrate a worrying trend: whenever criticism or exposure involving the government or enforcement agencies arises, the police appear to act within a very short time frame.
The question is: when media reports concern controversies at the core of national power and matters of public interest, why do enforcement authorities act more swiftly against the reporters, while appearing cautious, even slow, when dealing with the powerful individuals implicated?
Take, for example, the Sabah mining licence controversy. From the exposure of related videos to investigations and prosecutions, several months elapsed.
Yet action against media reports is often initiated within a matter of one or two days. This contrast inevitably leads the public to wonder: is the government more proactive in dealing with its watchdogs than with those who wield power?
The coalition leading the Madani government, Pakatan Harapan, once championed reform and freedom of expression. Today, however, we repeatedly see journalists summoned and independent media investigated.
Has the promised media freedom become little more than empty rhetoric? Is freedom of expression reserved only for those in power, while the people and the press are expected merely to offer praise?
MCA Youth emphasises that enforcement actions must be consistent, transparent and reasonable. They must not give rise to perceptions of selective prosecution and neither should they create a chilling effect within society.
In light of this, MCA Youth calls upon the government to immediately:
- Clarify the legal basis and scope of police visits to media organisations;
- Ensure that news reporting and investigative journalism are not easily criminalised;
- Act with equal speed and transparency in cases involving allegations of abuse of power and corruption;and
- Honour its original reform pledges on freedom of expression and media independence.
If every voice that questions the government is dealt with swiftly while controversies at the heart of power are allowed to drag on, then the Madani government is not a reform government but a “government silencer”.
A truly democratic government should not fear scrutiny, and a confident government should never fear questions from the media.
Saw Yee Fung is the MCA Youth secretary-general.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.
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