Press Freedom Index Drops from Rank 73 (2023) to 107 (2024)
Kuala Lumpur, March 21, 2025 – Former Prime Minister and President of Bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, has alleged that the government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is increasingly restricting media freedom, limiting public discourse and making it difficult for information to be conveyed effectively.
Muhyiddin emphasized that the current government’s approach is vastly different from when Perikatan Nasional (PN) was in power under his leadership.
> “When PN was in power, I did not interfere with media jurisdiction or its role. This is vastly different from what PH is doing now. We valued the media because they were supposed to deliver the truth,” he said at the Bersatu Founder President’s Iftar with Media Practitioners in the capital last night.
Also present at the event were Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Muhammad Hilman Idham, and Harris Idaham Rashid.
Malaysia’s Press Freedom Index Drops 34 Ranks
Muhyiddin also highlighted that Malaysia’s Press Freedom Index has dropped by 34 ranks, from 73rd place in 2023 to 107th place in 2024.
> “This is the reality. It is a significant decline that has never happened before in Malaysia’s history. It clearly shows that this government is afraid of the media,” he said.
He stressed that urgent action must be taken to ensure that the media is not continuously restricted or excessively controlled.
Is the Media Becoming More Suppressed?
Recently, various reports have surfaced regarding pressure on media practitioners, including investigations into journalists and news organizations that are critical of the government.
The opposition claims that the Madani Government is using government agencies to suppress independent media, including through defamation laws, digital control, and restrictions on independent news portals.
However, the government has denied these allegations, insisting that they remain committed to upholding freedom of speech while ensuring national stability.
Is media freedom in Malaysia truly being suppressed, or is this just a political strategy by the opposition to attack the government?