Malaysia's dismal performance in the recently released World Press Freedom Index is proof that the researchers "have not done their homework", says a former executive editor of The Malay Mail , Ahiruddin Atan.

"I think the people at Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) did not really do their homework when it comes to small country like ours," said Ahiruddin, also known as blogger Rocky's Bru, of the organisation responsible for the rankings .

NONE "We have one of the most liberal policies with regard to news. We have produced very big online portals, like Malaysiakini and The Malaysian Insider .

"Najib has done away with a lot of draconian and oppressive laws. I'm just wondering if the people at RSF did not take this into consideration," Ahiruddin ( above ) told Malaysiakini when contacted yesterday.

He was commenting on Malaysia's worst-ever performance in the World Press Freedom Index rankings, which started in 2002. Malaysia dropped 23 places from last year's ranking to 145th position this year.

Ahiruddin, who started and heads the blog news portal The Mole, said the low placement of India and Indonesia - known for their press freedom - on the rankings, not far from Malaysia's, was another indication to doubt the rankings.

RSF ranked Indonesia 146th, while India was ranked 140.

Reforms are ‘cosmetic'

However, the executive director of the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Masjaliza Hamzah, said the rankings mirrored the situation on the ground.

azlan The amendments to Malaysia's draconian laws, Masjaliza said, have been cosmetic.

"CIJ believes this downgrading is an accurate reflection of the media freedom situation in Malaysia.

"In 2012, while there were amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), the cosmetic changes did little to tide over the assault on media freedom in other areas.

"In 2012, more than 12 journalists were harassed, threatened, assaulted, arrested, and had their equipment damaged or seized and some not returned," Masjaliza added in a statement issued yesterday.

"Two uniformed personnel were acquitted, while the rest have not even been charged. This culture of impunity is worrying."

As for Malaysiakini , she pointed out, the portal had to resort to the courts to battle its constitutionally-guaranteed right to publish.

NONE Masjaliza ( right ) also cited how the "Barisan Nasional-owned print media" had been found guilty of misrepresentation, particularly of opposition politicians.

"Bloggers and those who post views critical of the royalty were arrested and the court deemed it ‘lawful' that a cartoonist can be arrested and his satire cartoon publications seized.

"There was a near blackout of Bersih 3.0 rally coverage by BN-owned media prior to the rally," Masjaliza said.

The CIJ chief, who called Malaysia's ranking "shameful" and a "blight on PM Najib Razak's ‘transformation' promise", also cast doubts on the recent decision by the government to allow the opposition access to state-run media.

NUJ questions timing of survey

In the coming election, the cabinet promised, the opposition would be allowed airtime, but only on the state-operated RTM television, and only to air their party manifestoes.

"This, on any score, does not mean that Malaysians will be getting accurate, timely and fair information to enable them to make decisions at the ballot box," Masjaliza said.

Meanwhile, National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Chin Sung Chew said the government was not doing enough for press freedom, which Chin said should include the abolition of the PPPA.

However, Chin also asked whether the timing of the survey, being released close to the 13th general election, was a coincidence.

"I don't know why the (index) came now. It looks like someone is trying to jeopardise the government's efforts," The Malay Mail yesterday reported him as saying.