Majlis Media Malaysia Malaysia Media Council
KUCHING (April 28): The Malaysian Media Council (MMM) has expressed serious concern over reports that the residence of Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar was searched by police in connection with his reporting on a proposed foreign worker recruitment system.
In a press statement issued in Kuala Lumpur today, MMM said the development is particularly troubling as it follows an earlier investigation involving the same journalist, who had previously been called in to provide a statement regarding reports on the same issue under Section 203A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
“MMM respects the authority of enforcement agencies to carry out investigations. However, when repeated enforcement actions are taken against a journalist in relation to reporting on matters of public interest, it raises serious concerns about the chilling effect on journalistic work, particularly investigative reporting,” the council said.
Issues relating to foreign workers, the governance of recruitment systems, industry costs, and the welfare of migrant workers are matters of public interest and, journalists should not be treated as though they have committed a criminal offence simply for reporting on issues that may be uncomfortable to certain parties, it stressed.
MMM also noted that Nantha had previously faced action in relation to his reporting on migrant worker syndicates, including a case in 2025 that raised concerns among media groups over pressure on investigative journalism.
In this regard, MMM emphasised that disputes over news content should first be addressed through the right of reply, corrections, internal media complaints channels and self-regulatory mechanisms, rather than immediate recourse to criminal measures or actions that may be perceived as intimidation.
In the lead-up to World Press Freedom Day on May 3, this case serves as a reminder that commitment to media freedom cannot be expressed solely through slogans or official events, MMM said.
“It must be reflected in how a country treats journalists in the course of their duties, particularly when reporting on matters of public interest.”
“MMM calls on the police and all enforcement agencies to cease approaches that may pressure journalists in the discharge of their legitimate duties, to ensure that investigations are conducted in a proportionate and transparent manner, to respect the protection of sources, and to clearly justify the necessity of search actions involving journalists’ residences,” or added.
“MMM stands ready to play its role as an institutional platform for reference and resolution of media-related disputes. Media freedom is not a licence to act without responsibility, but neither should responsibility be used as a pretext to criminalise journalism,” it stressed.
Further information and access to the official complaint form can be obtained via the MMM website at majlismedia.my.
