KUALA LUMPUR: The rights of the media and freedom of speech must be protected to ensure national harmony can be maintained, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, however, said that it must be ensured that such freedoms are not used to defend against oppression, corruption and misconduct.

"During the recent Khazanah Megatrends Forum, I mentioned that while we respect the principle of freedom, it must be upheld.

"However, we must remember that this is connected to values and Islamic ethics, which say that total freedom for the wolves means death for the lambs. If there is full freedom for the wolves, it means the lambs will be destroyed.

"Freedom must also be examined, is it used in the same way as by the wealthy? For instance, if they are confronted or investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, will they use their funds to either assist certain parties or raise various objections?

"However, when a police officer takes a bribe of RM3,000, no one defends him, but if a billionaire amasses billions, many will defend him. This is what I mean by total freedom for the wolves.

"Thus, we must ensure that this freedom is not used to defend oppression, corruption, and misconduct. This is not a law I made, but it is something we have upheld since our country gained independence," he said during the Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar said this in response to a supplementary question from Lee Chuan How (PH-Ipoh Timor) regarding efforts to mobilise local and international media to ensure they report responsibly.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, acknowledged that it was not easy for his administration to combat corruption, despite continuous emphasis on the need to curb such practices.

"Is it easy (to fight corruption)? No, it is indeed appreciated by friends in Pakistan and Bangladesh, but I accept the reality that it is not easy.

"This is because any action against 'big sharks' will provoke a reaction, as their funds, power, and networks through the media, political parties or non-governmental organisations will surely be used to attack government actions."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/1120034/pm-freedom-speech-must-not-defend-oppression-graft