KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 ― The Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IoJ) expressed today its concerns with Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak's plans to take action against news portal Malaysiakini for a report linking preacher Dr Zakir Naik to terrorism.
In a statement, IoJ pointed out that Malaysiakini's news article that Salleh was referring to was citing a report in Bangladesh-based newspaper The Daily Star.
“The minister also reportedly took exception to Malaysiakini publishing allegedly ‘rude’ comments posted by its readers in response to its story,” IoJ said, referring to Salleh's comments published by Malay broadsheet Utusan Malaysia on July 11.
“The Institute notes the growing tendency of the authorities in recent times to clamp down on journalists and media organisations on grounds of provoking sensitivities on various issues,” the group added.
IoJ said the government should not “immediately” threaten legal or criminal action because it disagrees with a journalist or organisation's line of reporting.
“Rather than react with a confrontational approach, the Institute urges the minister and the authorities to actively engage the media and to build an open, direct and honest dialogue as is the norm in mature democracies,” it further said.
“Heavy-handed treatment of the media will only result in the shutting down of viable avenues for the public to gain trustworthy and reliable information, and is ultimately a disservice to public interest,” it said.
Salleh's warning came shortly after Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asrul Zainal Abbidin also took exception with the report, accusing the news portal of making enemies of Dr Zakir and also Islam.
Dr Zakir, a controversial Mumbai-based preacher, had a much publicised visit to Malaysia earlier this year.
He is now reported to be the subject of investigations by authorities in his home country India and Bangladesh.
The Daily Star previously reported that two gunmen involved in the July 1 attack at a Dhaka cafe were social media followers of Dr Zakir and had even quoted phrases from his talks.
