Toll hike: Don't muzzle the media
Malaysiakini.com
Dec 14, 2006

A media watchdog today criticised the government for trying to suppress reports on the expected public outcry over today's sharp rise in toll prices.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) was responding to a malaysiakini report yesterday which said the government had instructed editors to ‘play down’ the matter during a meeting in Parliament.

The meeting was also attended by Works Minister S Samy Vellu and Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin. 

In a statement, CIJ executive director Sonia Randhawa urged the government to stop such interference and prevent the public from being informed.

Blatant disregard 

“The government's action indicates a blatant disregard for the role of a free media and the public's right to information, and contradicts its pledge for transparent governance,” she said.

She also called on the government to establish a Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication Rights to promote press freedom and initiate reforms in media laws.

This afternoon, Samy Vellu announced that there would be a hike in toll prices between 20 and 60 percent - ranging from 30 sen to RM1 - on five major highways in the Klang Valley.

A media source said the government fears that this will create a public outcry similar to when fuel prices were increased by 30 sen in March.

However, such directives from the government to the media is not uncommon as stringent anti-press laws are enforced alongside informal political and administrative gag orders on the media.

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