Shame of shame! This is the worst setback to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s “best democracy in the world” claim with Malaysia’s 2014 Press Freedom Index falling to the lowest point in nation’s history, even below that of Myanmar.
Malaysia already plunged last year to a historic low of No. 145 ranking out of 179 countries in the 2013 World Press Freedom Index – the worst since the start of the annual index by Reporters Without Border (RSF) in 2002.
Malaysia fell by 23 rungs last year, as it was ranked at 122 in the 2011/2012 Press Freedom Index.
In the latest 2014 World Press Freedom Index just released, Malaysia fell further to 147 out of 180 countries, two places behind Myanmar which climbed from 151st ranking to 145th position this year.
ASEAN nations which outperformed Malaysia include Brunei 117, Thailand 130, Indonesia 132 and Cambodia 144 and Myanmar 145. Philippines is ranked 149, Singapore 150, Laos 171 and Vietnam 174.
Malaysia’s World Press Freedom Index 2014 would have been more abysmal falling even behind Philippines and Singapore if the government’s latest press freedom repression had been taken into account, i.e. revocation of the publishing permit for FZ daily, hours just after the publisher The Edge Communications Sdn. Bhd. was granted leave to initiate proceedings against the Home Ministry for deferring its initial approval of the permit.
Malaysia was in respectable ranking of 92nd position in 2006 but under Najib’s premiership, Malaysia is now locked into the worst position in the bottom quarter of 180 countries assessed.
Can Malaysians expect an explanation from Najib after today’s Cabinet meeting why he had reneged on his promise to make Malaysia “the best democracy in the world” with the worst World Press Freedom Index in the past 12 years, falling even below Myanmar – which had up to now been regarded as the “bad boy” of democracy in ASEAN?
#1 by yhsiew on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 10:37 am
Things went downhill because of poor leadership!
#2 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 10:40 am
Actually its should have been expected. Najib has a love of public relation, promotion and advertising, even imagining himself to be a good copy writer. Malaysian crudely calls its bulls***ing. And when it does not work, what else was he going to do? Given his partner’s over-self-importance, what else was going to happen?
#3 by sheriff singh on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 11:07 am
Number 147 ? Wow! They are really competing with the ranking of our National Football team, the Tigers !
And RTM says daily: ‘Be the first to know the news’.
#4 by good coolie on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 12:11 pm
What about the ranking in medical service? I hear we are number three in the world! It could well be true: I have personally experienced wonderful service from the staff of our government hospitals even though they are under pressure from the sheer numbers of patients.
#5 by francis rajah on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 12:24 pm
LKS Malaysian football team is ranked lower then Laos at 164 in the FIFA ranking.Our education quality has gone down to the dogs we are ranked below Vietnam in PISA assessment and now the WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX.It looks like we are loosing everthing! LKS please save MALAYSIA from this Morons If we have a world intellectual index on government political leaders am certain we would be first from last! LKS pls do something
#6 by sheriff singh on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 1:25 pm
Yes I agree. My elderly relative went for a sore throat problem and the rather youngish doctor, who graduated from a local university, gave him the full treatment. They took an x-ray, did blood tests, checked him for dengue and TB, high-blood pressure, diabetes and bronchitis. How wonderful ! He came back a completely healthy and happy old man.
#7 by sheriff singh on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 1:30 pm
” … Malaysia fell further to 147 out of 180 countries …”.
Dang !! It’s George Soros again and his group of Yews collaborating with Kim Jong-Un, the Martians and Goblins, out to do us no good. Where are our troupe of ‘Backsiders’ ?
#8 by boh-liao on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 - 10:05 pm
Aiyo yo, Y ppl so jumpy 1, so jiat lark 1
Our ranking STILL OK what, still better than many nations
In fact, we can CELEBRATE syiok syiok, U know, we r BETTER than S’pore what – we BEST S’pore, U know, YEAH!