Parliament has put up new rules that seek to control interactions between the media and MPs.
According to a circular, the press are no longer allowed to doorstop an MP without the latter’s permission.
Doorstopping - which is mostly impromptu - has been a key way journalists get to quiz lawmakers on current issues, especially those who may not want to answer.
Meanwhile, access to the press conference area in the Parliament media room is also being restricted.
The circular states that those who want to use the space must seek approval.
An early version of the circular stated that a two-day notice was required. However, a revised version shortened that period to two hours.
Only those with complete applications and approval may then use the space.
Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan questioned the new rules in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said that while it was made with good intent, if MPs have to get permission to use the media centre, this could amount to a restriction on their right to speak.
“I think these guidelines are not needed in a maturing democracy like Malaysia, which we also want to make more mature by encouraging people to speak and express their views,” he said.
However, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Ramli Nor, who was presiding over the house at the time, said he, too, only learned about the rules today and thus could not comment.
During the afternoon session, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul said the new rules are aimed at preventing abuse of Parliament facilities, including by outsiders.
According to him, the Parliament media room should only be used to speak about matters that concern the rakyat and the government, and he would not allow it to be used as a platform to talk politics.
Johari denied that it was intended to deny MPs’ right to speak.
“For example, if individual A, B, or C wants to speak ill of X, Y, or Z at the facility, this cannot be allowed. It is unfair.
“That is why we are imposing these conditions, to inform us what they want to use it (media room) for. If they want to use it for stating whether they agree or disagree with the government, that is within their rights.
“I have received complaints that some MPs have brought outsiders, non-MPs, for reasons that are not related to the rakyat, but instead speak more about politics.
“This cannot be allowed. That is why we made these rules, and any MP who wants to use the room only need to inform us; we never block any MP’s right to speak because it is their right,” he said.
Johari added that he also has no power to stop anyone from speaking, but if they were to make any announcement or speak about politics, they would have to do it outside.
He suggested that the MPs use their respective office rooms or take it to the Parliament’s tennis court.
When Wan Saiful asked for clarification about the ban against reporters doing doorstop interviews, Johari said there is “no problem” if they do it outside the media room.
Renewing controls on media
Earlier, Bersih chairperson Faisal Aziz, in a series of X posts, also expressed concern about the new media centre rules, and likewise said it could restrict the right of MPs to free speech.
This is not the first time the media have faced challenges in Parliament.
Since 2017, Parliament has, on and off, placed restrictions on the press from being in the Parliament lobby and thus limiting their opportunities to quiz MPs.
In October 2023, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he would appeal to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul to allow the media back in the lobby to meet MPs.
However, the new rules against doorstopping effectively ban such practices again. - Mkini
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