Najib: Media Plays Important Role for Malaysia’s Growth

(Bernama) – KUALA LUMPUR, 18 OCTOBER, 2011: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the media played an important role towards making Malaysia a modern, liberal and progressive country.

However, he said this needed to be treaded carefully because the process would not be easy based on the current situation in the country which was very highly complex.

“This is also the main challenge for the government and so is it with media practitioners and journalism in the country because many things can change and become negative in the complex environment we are in,” he said at the Media Perdana 2011 event at Dewan Perdana Felda here tonight.

Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman.

He said in the challenging political situation in the country now, the media also had a role to play in ensuring a healthy political atmosphere prevailed.

He added that the government was looking into doing away with the requirement for newspapers to renew their publishing permits annually besides a comprehensive review of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 for greater press freedom.

“However, (once the changes come into effect) it does not mean you can do as you like as on your shoulders lie the responsibility to produce a Malaysian society all can be proud off,” he said.

The event was the first media night organised by the Prime Minister’s Department in cooperation with all the ministries.

At the function, Najib also presented certificates of appreciation to all the volunteers including media members who participated the humanitarian mission in Somalia in August.

He also made a personal contribution of RM11,000 to TV3 cameraman Aji Saregar Mazlan who was injured in the mission.

– Bernama