The Deputy Prime Minister's Office today barred Malaysiakini from covering a press conference on price hike issues, saying this online news portal is “not on the approved media list”.

The Malaysiakini reporter was denied entry when he went to cover Muhyiddin Yassin's press conference on the public interest topic of “rise in cost-of-living” at Bangunan Perdana Putra this afternoon.

The programme was for Muhyiddin to meet NGOs to discuss the issue and then answer questions on the matter from members of the media.

However, only those from a “pre-approved media list” were allowed into the Putrajaya office. The security guards blocked the Malaysiakini reporter, even though he carried an accreditation card from the Information Department.

"Please be informed that media not found on this list that's been issued are not allowed to cover this programme," says the letter issued to the security guards.

Some 32 media organisations were listed, comprising mostly mainstream and government-linked English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil newspapers and TV stations.  

The letter was undersigned by an administrative assistant to Muhyiddin's press secretary.

Last month, the Home Ministry similarly barred Malaysiakini from a press conference on Shiites.