In a statement in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, Lim said the PH government would repeal all laws and policies that stifle the media.

“This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law’. This is a very apt theme in the context of our 14th general election (GE14) as the media in Malaysia have been prevented for decades from performing its function as a watchdog of the government.

“A free media is crucial in providing a level playing field for all political actors and for the public (stakeholders) to hold the power-holders accountable. As such, this election is an opportunity to reform the legislative environment that has worked against the media and freedom of expression of citizens,” he said.

Lim also took Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration to task for bulldozing the anti-fake news law through Parliament, saying it further curbed the already-restrained media as well as alternative voices on social media.

He said in the recently launched Press Freedom Index, Malaysia remained at the bottom of the list of over 170 countries, with no improvements to show for itself.

He reiterated that PH in its election manifesto had pledged to ensure that the media had the freedom to act as a check and balance for the administration.

The manifesto also stated that the PH government would take steps to improve the independence and professionalism of entities such as Radio Television Malaysia and national news agency Bernama.

“The PH government will also set up a media council, comprising media figures, which will be responsible for developing and implementing a code of ethics on reporting and functions as a hisbah body (ombudsman) for public complaints,” it said.

Among the laws that PH pledged to repeal are the Sedition Act 1948, Prevention of Crime Act 1959, Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

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