MCMC under fire from rights group over police report against journalist

The government's internet authority has come under fire for lodging a police report against a journalist, saying it is not proper for a government body to take such action.

This came after the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) lodged a police report against Murray Hunter for accusing the commission of being politicised under the current government.

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) reminded MCMC that it is not a private entity, but a taxpayer-funded government agency.

"A public body, funded by tax-payers monies, has no business to complain of defamation. They must accept public criticism, even if it is harsh, as they are public servants," said LFL director Zaid Malek.

"If any criticism is unfounded, it is open to them to respond and clarify. It is not open to them to file criminal complaints against legitimate criticism."

Yesterday, Hunter wrote that MCMC was under the control of an "Umno warlord and corporate mogul".

"The MCMC is acting far beyond its statutory powers in self-interest," he added.

MCMC, which is under the communications ministry headed by Fahmi Fadzil, has been criticised for a series of actions against social media users and news portals for publishing content critical of the Anwar Ibrahim government.

The commission has also repeatedly called on social media platforms to delete content and has blocked blogs and news portals.

Last year, MalaysiaNow was blocked for 48 hours without prior notice.

The websites of TV Pertiwi and Utusan TV were also blocked, as was a blog by former MP Wee Choo Keong.

Last year, Wee was granted leave to file a judicial review against MCMC for blocking access to his blog.

The actions led global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to warn Putrajaya against a crackdown on freedom of expression.

"RSF is very concerned by this wave of suspensions by Malaysian authorities, without any explanations or judicial control, of news websites critical of the government," RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau director Cedric Alviani said last September.

LFL said it was unfair for a member of the public to face a police investigation based on a complaint from a major government body.

"There is no equality of arms or equal playing field here. Can Murray Hunter expect a fair investigative process in these circumstances?"

LFL said the blame for MCMC's police reports lay squarely with Fahmi.

"His repeated denials that freedom of speech has been stifled under the current government rings hollow in light of this oppressive conduct of the MCMC, which is an institution under his own ministry."