He said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government had not given any orders to the media since taking federal power in the May 9 general election.

“I have asked media editors if they received any calls. They said no.

“The government says it will not control the media, and it is keeping its word,” he said in a roundtable session with MPs today.

He joked that some editors who used to receive commands from the government were now “lonely and calling him for guidance”.

However, he said, he was not allowed to give any instructions.

He also spoke on the formation of a media council to allow the industry to self-regulate and be free from government interference.

Although Indonesia had such a council, he said Malaysia had yet to establish one.

“We are now in the midst of setting up a media council. This is one of the new government’s priorities, to allow the media to self-regulate,” he said.

He made the remarks after hearing about the management of Indonesia’s media council, set up in 1999, which had proven effective in handling cases.

Bambang Harymurti, a former member of the Indonesia Press Council, said the council handled about 500 complaints, 80% of which were against the media.

“If the press was in the wrong, the remedy is for them to apologise. It is quick and free of charge.”

Although the council was not always right, he added, the Indonesian media had welcomed it as it increased their credibility.

Kadir said Malaysia had taken steps to form its own council, but this received objection from editors who wanted the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 and the Official Secrets Act, among others, abolished.

The PH coalition had promised to repeal such acts during its election campaign.

Kadir also said editors in the past had refused to allow other parties to reply, causing individuals and companies to become involved in lengthy court proceedings.

“A media council is the fastest and easiest way to solve issues.”