(Bernama) - Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today invited the local media to be his partner in his journey to transform Malaysia into a more prosperous and peaceful country.
He said the government needed the media to communicate with the people and educate them throughout the country.
"I would like you to be my partner in my journey to transform the country," he said at the inaugural National Press Club-Naza Awards Night here today.
Najib said there was a kind of symbiotic relationship between the press and the government which was absolutely critical to the future and Malaysia's development as a nation.
"The press needs to report on the government just as the government needs the press to communicate its message effectively to the people... I need the press to understand and appreciate the situation in the country, and to communicate effectively and educate the people," he said.
The prime minister also urged the media not to maintain its status quo by embarking on different ways to do their reporting.
He said accusations that Malaysia lacked press freedom were grossly unfair.
"As long as the reports do not run afoul of our existing laws, the press is free to report on pretty much anything.
"Besides, all of us are well aware that in any case, anything and everything is already written in the alternative media, whether based on fact or entirely made up of slanderous fiction," he said.
Najib said mainstream media organisations obviously had a higher standard of accountability and were more mindful of what they reported, being aware of their standing as respected media establishments.
"But to say that this therefore means that there is no media freedom is simply incorrect.
"There have been many favourable stories on oppostion figures just as there have been many negative stories on government personalities," he said.
Najib also commended the effort by NPC to honour members of their own peers based on the evaluation of an independent panel.
He said the awarding of the "oscars" of Malaysian journalism such as what was being presented tonight, was bound to create great excitement in the media fraternity and help improve the quality of local journalism.
However, he said this did not mean that the quality of the Malaysian media was poor.
"I, for one, believe that the Malaysian media is something that we can all be proud of," he said.
Najib said it had always been his view that freedom without responsibility was not freedom at all but chaos.
"I believe the world media can take some lessons from our Malaysian media, who don't shovel into the private lives of individuals, generally speaking, or launch... personal vendetta.
"I believe that if we are at peace with ourselves today, it is because the Malaysian media has tempered its coverage of sensitive issues with a huge dose of social responsibility," he said.
The prime minister said a sense of responsibility and a dose of self-censorship went a long way in preserving the delicate balance of Malaysia's multiracial, multireligious and multicultural society.
"This is probably what some self-appointed western guardians of the free press at times fail to understand.
"As we work collectively towards greater unity and cohesion as 1Malaysia, we must always bear in mind that our collective end goal is a better Malaysia for our children to inherit," he said
Najib added that it was pointless if the so-called media freedom meant a free-for-all situation where sensitivities were ignored, feelings hurt and hatred ignited ultimately leading to disunity and strife, which benefited no one.

written by Better My, March 22, 2010 07:41:02
He said accusations that Malaysia lacked press freedom were grossly unfair. (then allow MT comments to be posted in the papers, munus all the stogner tones)
"As long as the reports do not run afoul of our existing laws" the press is free to report on pretty much anything (The truly outdated ISA laws are used by you to suppress freedom . why the constant firing/reprimand on the paper editors? )
Malaysian media is something that we can all be proud of, (what?? with crap, your mouthpiece reporting? )
"I believe the world media can take some lessons from our Malaysian media, who don't shovel into the private lives of individuals, generally speaking, or launch... personal vendetta. (Anwar sodomy isn;t private lives? not personal vendetta? )
Malaysian media has tempered its coverage of sensitive issues with a huge dose of social responsibility," he said. (what you meant to say suppressed coverage so that you can continue to screw Malaysia?)
The prime minister said a sense of responsibility and a dose of self-censorship went a long way in preserving the delicate balance of Malaysia's multiracial, multireligious and multicultural society.
(Who has been using Allah/Perakas issue to project "Chinese Vs Malay"? million illegal imigrant given MyKad and licencent o vote in Sabah? )
"This is probably what some self-appointed western guardians of the free press at times fail to understand.. (Freedom of press in successful developed countries also with differenct racespresent is a proven winner. No ISA to stop anyone saying what they want to say)
free-for-all situation where sensitivities were ignored, feelings hurt and hatred ignited ultimately leading to disunity and strife, which benefited no one. (many years ago, so called sensitive issues have always been discussed and they were discussed in the privicy of their homes/race company. At least the chinese and Indian did that often but there were too reluctant to offend others, especially Malay or too scared shit of ISA. Today, these issuse are discussed in the open and you read the MT, you will notice that there are more common desires by all good rakyat, good muslim Malaysia, good chirstian/Hindus rather than more conflicts of desires. All races can easily work together under a better PR government. Some of these common desires and action have already been observed in selangor and penang. More people in Selangor and Penand like what they see. )
Pm, you can con some people with your kind of rubbish talk but you can't con more people today.
No more. Stop wasting your time and ours to read your set speeches because they are just empty rhetorics, not backed by real action plans, just like your NEM(?). - Act now, Pm. Start with restoring the judical systems so damaged by your mob. After that, there are 101 more things to do Othwerwise, don't continue to insult our intelligence
ISA kills press freedom. We have stopped listenring to you; For Malaysia
written by malgal, March 22, 2010 06:14:43
written by sonofmalaysia, March 22, 2010 02:54:20
His name is full of shit, what he utter is just shit , resign lah !! you are giving Malaysia name shit also !!
written by Semuaok, March 22, 2010 02:11:48
written by justice seeker, March 22, 2010 00:39:00
He said the government needed the media to communicate with the people and educate them throughout the country.
1MALAYSIA JARGON AT ITS BEST. DONT MISS OUT THE GRAVY TRAIN. JUST JUMP IN.
written by MAMR, March 21, 2010 23:51:49
written by doitanyway, March 21, 2010 13:10:11
written by imanj, March 21, 2010 10:46:17
Just purely a citizen who does not mind if the truth is kept under wraps and what is printed is just to keep Malaysians and even non-Malaysian minds generally happy,or even pleasantly confused..
But do dispute not what the press reports but what is blatantly said over and over again by people who should be keeping in mind the sensitivity of the whole nation,instead of often making racial remarks on non-malays....even if it was one individual that said it,the whole nation is affected by it..Till today the top of the list for me is the uncalled and damaging remark that the Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and the Chinese sold themselves as prostitutes.....
While that is said,a question now would be if it is the main course in today's political menu to constantly emphasize the needs of just one race in an authorian/agressive manne, while on the side dish is the constant racial remarks to make the non-Malays feel alienated with hurtful remarks and accusations of wanting to rob this country of the Malay rights,how would Malaysians in general celebrate the glory of our men and women in their various achievements for example in the sportsworld,where recently we see 2 non-Malay individuals who did Malaysia proud??!! Did we just go into intermission to take a break from being racial and shamelessly share the winnings of these two sportsman/woman??
This is just a simple comment which is not one to be considered abrupt or seditious.As we are taxpayers who have always just wanted good Leadership from those we vote and those we do not vote for.....We ask to wake up everyday to a sense of security in the country we live and work in..We ask not to be thought of as mere nothings who have not contributed to the efforts of Malaysia progression before and after independence. We ask not to be ignored as part of this land's History and formation...We ask the intellectuals to first look up what is an ideal life with ideal measures before throwing back slurs and remarks to just mere folks who do not contirbute to self-made negative attitude and preceptions by some who have the power.....
Thank-you....
written by JJFoo, March 21, 2010 05:19:07
The Satan said something similar to all those who are now in burning in hell.
written by passion, March 21, 2010 05:13:16
it is simple, what 1 malaysia? what 1 malaysia wants to achieve sincerely? really harmonious &peaceful malaysia, then do something about the extreme ultra racist perkasa and many members of your party. if not how to have peace? should the non malays bow down to you the malay supremacist and forever be your faithful slaves, being treated like dogs but should never bark at you the master, being called pendatang, beggar, prostitute or whatever you like, we should be like mca quietly toe the line. and then this is 1 malaysia finally, we have peace at last.
and this is what you want to achieve with your 1 malaysia?
written by passion, March 21, 2010 04:52:29
utusan melayu's extreme racist comments, no no, this is not a sensitive as non malay sensitivity is non of your business, report them, comment more as it serves your agenda better, only like this can you further the malay agendas, creating chaos? so what? chaos may be good for continued umno survival, yes you just mentioned press should be responsible to avoid chaos, but that is just for the stupid to hear.
written by Raja Kim, March 21, 2010 04:45:59
written by truthbespoken, March 21, 2010 04:43:30
written by Angela Ooi, March 21, 2010 03:16:51
written by cheekhiaw, March 21, 2010 02:11:17
xxx
written by Kaneeneh, March 21, 2010 01:38:27
It's like saying, bend over.
written by hkh, March 21, 2010 01:04:01
1. Race Relations Act
2. IPCMC
and we will believe you and support you.
written by AlwaysFair, March 21, 2010 00:41:58
If you don't walk the talk, then don't talk, pls SHUT UP!!!
written by jokersland, March 21, 2010 00:02:00
written by Aduh, March 20, 2010 23:38:36
Why wasn't the invitation thought of years ago ???
Is Malaysia Today, Malaysiakini and Harakah Daily in your list. ???
Are you going to lift the gag on the use of the name Altantuya. ???
Suggest you go fly kite.
written by ctlyn, March 20, 2010 22:28:27
written by Alice, March 20, 2010 22:10:15
Aiyooo terrifying invitation!!




written by NSTPravda, March 20, 2010 21:59:21
Come and be my partner, Najib invites the press!!!@#!?? Now here is something, bearing in mind that not so long ago some gullible mongolian accepted the offer, she not only got screwed, she got c4'd as well. Pure sandiwara, al-UMNOdollarlah!
written by neutralsite, March 20, 2010 21:15:26
If u really want a peaceful Malaysia what u need to do 1st is stop playing racist sentiment, ask your UMNO / PERKASA and Media especially Utusan from playing racist, all Malaysian regardless race should have equal right. Until then what ever your slogan like 1 Malaysia is a failure project..
written by Kaneeneh, March 20, 2010 21:15:04
written by Kacang Tanah, March 20, 2010 20:58:58
My grandmother used to tell me don"t be friend with murderer. But I am going to tell you: FU*k OFF.
written by Kacang Tanah, March 20, 2010 20:57:08
written by Motherchell, March 20, 2010 20:01:01
With the kind of Press mates you mould ,you are able to only tell us what your backwater crowd who cant read and write to know. The good part of your kind of Press Buddies is they become the highest paid in the world---but the media they own and write from is considered the best toilet roll in any list in the world. You not only control the newsprint import with profit-- the whole controlling "paper"Board become your prostitutes!!!!!!!!!
Beware the New World Najis!!! We are in an era of Youtube and other wonders to counter and expose scum figures as you .
Your creation of the breed of journalists are fit to only write nursery rhymes for felons on death row in Bahasa.
Enough of your angelic gestures!!! The word -ALTANTUYA- will never be found in your search engine!
written by singhkris, March 20, 2010 19:52:02
written by Aria, March 20, 2010 18:36:33
written by arazak, March 20, 2010 17:14:06
By the way, you can stick with your sinking mainstream media partners all you want. We don’t care and are least bothered because we Malaysians now don’t touch them with a 10-foot pole let alone reading them!
written by reeperbahn, March 20, 2010 15:40:25
malaysia is already a forunner where the alternative media reports are more factual and actual than the printed media. this is mainly due to the stupid obsolete press act typical to the soviet ostblock countries which strangles journalism.
the east european countries are opening up and adopting liberal laws whereas malaysia is going into retro MODE - back to the past.
written by Davy McChester, March 20, 2010 15:28:56
written by ibabonma, March 20, 2010 14:52:35
Just look at the Organisation of Former Umno Elected Representatives headed by Adam Kadir when ONE COMMITTEE MEMBER, A PLAYBOY BY NATURE, is Aziz Yassin, Ex FAMA Deputy Chairman, the brother of Mahyudin Yassin.
Najis, are you aware that Mahyuddin is closing on you. I am getting exited over the coming fireworks.
written by fireduck, March 20, 2010 14:29:31
Becoming your partner is as good as having themselves castrated or risk having their career shortened. And with partners like Utusan, you might get orgasmic on the partnerships, Jib.


























On the other hand, one would be surprised, how people still read the msm & believe the crap even when these ppl are opposition supporters. You all shld watch 007 movie, in which Michelle Yeoh acted as Bond Girl. The story is, this crazy media mogul wants to control the entire world media - media is powerful bcos most people can't think for themselves.