Barred from covering Jokowi, despite PMO pass

 SteveOh: The rule of law is again murdered by ‘the rule of higher orders’ and is this the same ‘higher orders’ that resulted in two bodyguards facing a death sentence?

How does anyone know if such orders are valid because the journalist’s pass is bona fide and properly authorised.

How can anyone do his or her job properly according to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) if such intervention undermines established procedures and invites abuse of power and interference?

Is this further evidence of the interference complained of by a former inspector-general of police (IGP) that made it difficult for him or anyone to do their job properly?

Vijay47: Dear Malaysiakini reporter Ms Anne Muhammad, I have always enjoyed your articles but alas, like many Malaysians, you do not seem to grasp basic English.

When you are issued a media pass by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that reads “This pass is an official document during the visit”, it actually means “Any rascal and similar miscreants (as they say in India) from Malaysiakini found hanging around any place where Umno officials congregate will be hauled off to court in double quick time and charged with ‘trespassing, impersonation, sedition, speeding, theft, and refusal to bring down prices’.”

You don’t believe my interpretation? Just ask PM Najib Abdul Razak. And his ‘boss’, Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Eagle: This shows the PMO and the PM don’t know what they are doing. Barring reporters nowadays is laughable. The next minute, everybody knows what’s going on.

FranklyX’roy: Why is it I feel a powerful hand from the Home Affairs Ministry meddling in this issue?

Anon1: Strange, all those news organisations which get sued for defamation because of false reporting are allowed in, butMalaysiakini which is generally not subjected to such suits due to its accurate reporting is denied entry.

Obviously the ‘higher-ups’ do not wish the truth to be reported but only edited news as dictated by the ‘higher-ups’.

MingXiang: Congrats, Malaysiakini, the government has vouched for your integrity.

Hmmmmmmmm: When you’re competent, you want the whole world to know, but if you’re not, you need a compliant press to paint rosy pictures of you. Unfortunately, there is no artist inMalaysiakini.

Storm: Putrajaya forgets itself. It is not a law unto itself. It must learn to engage. Not to treat the media as the enemy. It shows such childish petulant bad behaviour.

Legit: You know who the minister in attendance is. He has already issued a fatwa that Malaysiakini will be barred from all his events.

Kangkung: The Umno government is trying hard to earn itself the title as the most oppressive government in suppressing the press. And we know only countries ruled by despots do this.

CQ Muar: With the noose getting tighter by the day over the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case, the PM is worried the reporter from Malaysiakini may pop up the question over the progress of the investigation.

This might stir the interest of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who will then question his Malaysian counterpart whether he was involved.

It will then be amusing to picture Najib fumbling for an answer to the question, like “Yes?”, “No”, “Maybe”, “Aw, don’t believe those tall stories!” – these will probably be the response he’d resort to evade the embarrassment.

Malaysiakini will be like an eerie shadow perpetually hounding him. Hence, the reason the reporter was barred. But then, Najib, you can hide now but eventually they will get you.

Sodo-Mee: Malaysia is fast becoming a failed state. It appears that Umno ministers have more powers over the lame-duck PM.

Racists and bigots are becoming more rampant then ever under his weak leadership. And he has never been firm or decisive in his actions.

He has been unresponsive, especially when dealing with provocateurs such as Perkasa, Isma and other racists NGOs which spit out toxic statements weekly.

In short, Najib is a weak leader who does not have the political will to stand up against tyranny and extremism within Umno.

Mosquitobrain: ‘A democratic (by name) but weak and immature (by deed) country’. And we still call ours a model country.

Mushiro: They can delay the truth, but they cannot hide the truth.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakinisubscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakinisubscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.