He cited the shutdown of the Al Jazeera television network’s operations and raid on its office in Israel, saying these called into question Israel’s 101th ranking in the index compared with Malaysia’s 107th.
“Unlike Israel, we have not killed, as what has happened in Gaza. We have also not shut down any of the media.
“So the press freedom index is not a perfect measuring stick. It is not the gold standard. It is for us to examine and consider if there are better steps for us to take,” he said at a press conference here.
Israeli police raided Al Jazeera’s office and seized its equipment yesterday. According to Reuters, Israeli satellite service Yes displayed a message that read: “In accordance with the government decision, the Al Jazeera station’s broadcasts have been stopped in Israel.”
However, the blockage is only partial as the channel is still accessible through Facebook in Israel.
Fahmi also said that he would meet with RSF soon to discuss Malaysia’s standing and its suggestions, adding that he would be the first Malaysian communications minister to do so.
He said he accepted RSF’s evaluation “with an open heart”, and that his ministry would examine its suggestions.
“I welcome them. They have posted on X saying they are ready to meet us.
“We will inform the government of their suggestions. We may not receive them wholesale, but we may study them and see what is suitable for Malaysia.”
Fahmi was previously reported as saying that Malaysia’s latest position in the index was still better than it was under previous administrations.
“While the drop to 107 is unsatisfactory, the ranking is not too bad. In the 2021 report we were ranked 119th, while we were ranked 113rd in 2022.
“So the current position is still good compared with the previous administrations,” he said.
Malaysia’s current 107th ranking on the World Press Freedom Index means it has fallen behind Thailand (87th), although it is still second overall among Asean countries, ahead of Indonesia (111th), Brunei (117th), Singapore (126th), the Philippines (134th), Cambodia (151st), Laos (153rd), Myanmar (171st) and Vietnam (174th).