In an interview, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that journalists and media workers employed by the official press bodies of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Harakah and Harakah Daily, had been revoked on November 7. In an interview, PAS information chief and lawmaker Ahmad Fadhli Shaari claimed that the received a written warning from Malaysia’s Information Department, requesting that all reporters associated with the outlet return their media accreditation passes by November 8.
The revocation comes days after the publication of a controversial article on November 6, questioning Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to supporting Palestine and superimposing a photo of him next to the Israeli flag. The Information Department has stated that the article was deliberately misleading and constituted an ethical violation, Ibrahim expressed his disapproval of the coverage in Parliament shortly before the revocation order.
Without official media passes, Harakah journalists will be unable to enter any government premises to report. Harakah submitted an appeal over the decision on November 7, with the government reportedly ‘welcoming’ the appeal on November 9.
Despite promises of media freedom, media outlets have faced restrictions since 2022, often with a distinct lack of transparency. On August 7, Malaysian online news portals UtusanTV and MalaysiaNow were blocked by authorities ahead of critical state elections. In June, MalaysiaNow was also blocked by four internet service providers over three days, with the government failing to take responsibility.
The NUJMsaid: “The NUJM expresses its grave concern over the action in revoking the press pass of reporters from Harakah as well as the paper’s accreditation. The journalists involved will not be allowed to perform their duties, they will not be paid hence affecting their livelihoods. NUJM takes seriously the frequency of harsh measures imposed on media organisations and media workers recently. We hope the Information Department has an explanation as to why this incident occurred. If there was indeed any false reporting by publications, further action should be taken according to the laws and regulations.”
The IFJsaid: “The power of the government to restrict news outlets and remove accreditation arbitrarily underlines the immense importance of a self-regulated Malaysian Media Council. The IFJ urges Malaysian authorities to reinstate the accreditation of Harakah journalists and fulfil its commitments to press freedom.”