Anwar was no friend of the media, says Zam

(TMI) – JAILED opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim controlled the media while he was deputy prime minister, claims former information minister Zainuddin Maidin, who said that as such, Pakatan Harapan was unlikely to fulfil its promise of greater media freedom if it takes over Putrajaya.

“Anwar often controlled the newspapers, on what could and could not be reported.  He even called the (newspaper) offices,” said the former Utusan Melayu chief editor.

Zainuddin said he was sure that Anwar, who is de facto leader of PH and PKR, upon a return to power, would control the media as he used to do during his “glorious years in Umno”.

Zainuddin said DAP-led Penang’s shunning of pro-government Utusan Melayu was further proof that PH would not deliver its promises of a free media.

“If DAP or PH comes into power, it is not a given that they will give the media freedom. Because the situation was like that even when Anwar was deputy prime minister,” he said.

“I am not confident that there will be media freedom (under PH). Take, for example, how Utusan Melayu is shunned by DAP In Penang,” Zainuddin told The Malaysian Insight in an interview.

These media outlets are not invited to government events and their reporters are sometimes humiliated when they ask questions during press conferences.

“We don’t get invitations. When we ask questions at press conferences, they will ask where (which media company) we are from. Then they will say they don’t take questions from BN media, BN liars,” said the reporter, who declined to be named.

“Even before the press conference has started, we (pro-Umno media) are already humiliated in front of other reporters.”