He posted the hard-hitting article, titled “Malaysia’s Record of Democracy and Free Speech is Strong”, on his blogsite, najibrazak.com.
It appears on the eve of his arrival for a working visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump.
The prime minister said the opposition’s ability to argue against the government so openly and vigorously was proof of the increased freedom Malaysians have.
“But falsely running down Malaysia’s vibrant democracy and spreading smears and falsehoods about this government in foreign newspapers just for political gain is another matter.
“That does not show pride in what we’ve achieved.
“Nor does it demonstrate love for our country,” Najib said.
Najib is scheduled to arrive in Washington DC on Monday for the Sept 11-13 visit.
Najib said the government had faith in Malaysia’s democracy and in the right of the people to air their views.
He said that the opposition, however, had tried to make it out in the American press that critics of the government were “routinely imprisoned”.
He said there was vigorous debate – including plenty of criticism of the government – on Malaysia’s web portals.
The truth was that the government upheld democracy, free speech and the rule of law.
“So, when an MP breaks the Official Secrets Act, for example, he is arrested – just as he would be in other countries – not for being a government critic, but for breaking the law.
“Even former cabinet ministers and state chief ministers on both sides of the political divide have been taken to court; and when they appear, it is the judges, not the government, who decide who goes to jail, no matter how high up or prominent they are.
“That is because Malaysia’s judiciary has recovered its independence, compared with the dark days of the judiciary crisis of 1988.
“The truth is that this government upholds democracy. We uphold free speech. And we uphold the rule of law. Our record is clear, as is the enhancement of the people’s freedom under this administration.”
Najib said one well-known academic who, ever since he came back to Malaysia to take up a post at a government-funded think-tank – and in a position funded by the Noah Foundation, set up by Najib’s own grandfather – has taken every opportunity to attack him and his policies, from Malaysia’s participation in international trade deals, to the administration of BR1M, to foreign investment in Malaysia.
“He is at perfect liberty to do so, just as the opposition’s real mastermind, Lim Kit Siang, is at liberty to make all manner of accusations about me – however much, I and my colleagues may think they are wrong.
“Why? Because we believe in, and we practise, free speech in this country.
“Contrary to what the opposition’s proxies in the media have alleged, we firmly believe in upholding the rule of law.”
Najib also indirectly referred to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, without mentioning his name, and said during his 22 years in power, hundreds of people were summarily locked up under the Internal Security Act.
“Newspapers, including a major national daily, were closed. The judiciary was attacked. Crony capitalism was rife, with deals made that significantly burden the people today.
“People had no right to demonstrate, and students were not allowed to participate in politics.”
Najib said when he took over as PM, he repealed the ISA, increased media freedom and allowed peaceful demonstrations.