Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil seen at a press conference after the opening ceremony of the International Regulatory Conference (IRC) 2024 on Monday. (Photo by Sam Fong/The Edge)

KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the World Press Freedom Index produced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is not the golden standard but a mere benchmark for the government to consider the actions that can be taken to improve the nation’s media freedom.

“The report does not only relate to the Ministry of Communications or media freedom alone but also involves the acts under different ministries, as well as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues,” he told reporters on Monday, after the opening ceremony of the International Regulatory Conference (IRC) 2024.

“We know Malaysia’s stance on the [LGBT] issue and the appropriateness of certain matters within the Asean or Eastern mould,” he said.

According to the World Press Freedom Index 2024, Malaysia has slipped 34 places to 107th, compared to 73rd last year. “News sites critical of the government are often blocked in Malaysia,” RSF noted.

Across the Asean region, Malaysia remains the second highest, trailing behind Thailand (87th) but ahead of other regional peers such as Indonesia (111th), Singapore (126th), and Vietnam (174th).

Fahmi also refuted claims that Malaysia is performing worse than Israel in upholding press freedom. Earlier, Perikatan Nasional’s Member of Parliament Wan Saiful Wan Jan had said that Fahmi had embarrassed the country, as Malaysia was ranked lower than Israel (101st).

“We did not kill like what happened in Gaza, and we did not touch any media entities like how Israel raided Al-Jazeera’s office,” Fahmi said.

On Sunday (May 5), the Israeli government decided to shut down news channel Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel for as long as the war in Gaza continues.

Nevertheless, Fahmi said the government will meet with the international non-profit organisation (RSF) soon, to receive its feedback and suggestions on how Malaysia can improve on its press freedom.

“We will also have to consider if RSF’s suggestions are suitable for Malaysia,” the minister added.