Amid fresh concerns raised over the state of press freedom in Malaysia, former PKR senator Yusmadi Yusoff reminded the government of the role of independent media during the early reformasi days, which also gave birth to Malaysiakini.
Speaking at a forum to mark the reformasi movement's 25th anniversary, Yusmadi cited a book on Malaysiakini authored by George Washington University academic Janet Steele, which was sold at Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall where the event was held last night.
"I saw the book about Malaysiakini. Imagine if Steven, Premesh did not go all out to fight.
"They (Malaysiakini) were constantly bashed," said Yusmadi (above) in reference to the portal’s co-founders Steven Gan and Premesh Chandran who set up Malaysia's first independent news portal in November, 1999 - leading to the 10th general election held at the height of the reformasi movement.
Under the administration of then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysiakini was subjected to various pressures including a police raid and investigations in 2003, which courted international protest.
Twenty years later and now with Anwar as prime minister, Yusmadi alluded to recent attempts at alleged suppression of online media freedom - through access restrictions imposed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
"Is it fair for us to create an environment that appears to be quite repressive [...] an uncomfortable environment for media to operate with reasonable freedom?
"We are fighters for press freedom," said the lawyer and author of several books, including one on his time serving as a one-term Balik Pulau MP.
"So even when I am proud of our successes, I have to be critical. Media is not only for those in power.
"Media also has a function to amplify voices who would otherwise, be silenced," he stressed.
The Rocket’s former editor-in-chief Wan Hamidi Hamid, also a panellist on the forum, recounted how he had covered the reformasi movement as then journalist for The Star and later, Singapore Straits Times.
Wan Hamidi noted how journalists at the time would report on Anwar's call for reforms even while he was still in office as deputy prime minister and finance minister.
"The veteran journalists would know this, at the time, there was already a 'power struggle' because Anwar was allowed to 'control' the media.
"But not all the media. There were those pro-Mahathir and others pro-Anwar," he said.
"There was also a fraction of journalists who may be 'dumb' like me, we don't take sides. And so, we were disliked by both (Anwar and Mahathir).
"It was very difficult when you don't take sides," said Wan Hamidi.
With the mainstream media outlets operating under strict government control through ruling political parties, the early reformasi years also saw rising demand for publications by then opposition parties - PAS' Harakah, DAP's The Rocket and PKR's Suara Keadilan.
Since then, print publications have evolved to include online versions - as well as an increased presence on various social media platforms.
Last night's function also saw organisers from NGO Perahu Hamzah and the office of Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Development executive councillor Najwan Halimi, honouring Yuisriah Yusof.
She is a senior photographer with Suara Keadilan - from its days of being covertly sold to circumvent printing permit requirements, until today.
Yuisriah, or Kak Yuis to Harapan leaders, party members and media colleagues, said she was taken aback by the surprise acknowledgement, while at the same time thanking the organisers.
"I wasn't feeling well (tak sihat) but they (organisers) insisted that I come.
"I thought I would just come and do Facebook live, and take photos just like any other normal assignment," said the 61-year-old who remains on the ground, including travelling across states to cover the recent elections.
Audience members and panellists stood up and cheered as she received a framed letter of appreciation from writer Hasmi Hashim, on behalf of Perahu Hamzah, as well as Najwan.
Others on the panel include Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam and political cartoonist Zulkiflee SM Anwar Haque (Zunar). - Mkini
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