MCA president Liow Tiong Lai has defended the government’s move to block access to the whistleblower site Sarawak Report .

 

When asked about the block and whether it contravenes the government’s guarantee of no internet censorship, Liow replied that everyone including internet users still had responsibilities.

 

“The media has the freedom to report the truth, but absolutely does not have the freedom to fabricate news.

 

“Whether the print media or Sarawak Report , they must adhere to the professional ethics and integrity of news reporting, and report according to the truth,” he told a press conference today.

 

Liow added that the onus is now on Sarawak Report to clear up the issue on whether it had fabricated documents for its articles, which were critical of 1MDB.

 

Malaysiakini was barred from attending Liow’s press conference, which was held at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had directed internet service providers to block access to Sarawak Report on Sunday, saying that it undermines national stability.

It said that the website carried content that “could not yet be ascertained for veracity and is under investigation”.

The website has been accused of fabricating and tampering what it alleges to be evidence of wrongdoing in 1MDB and its deals, particularly by former Sarawak Tribune journalist Lester Melanyi ( photo ) of late.

Sarawak Report editor-in-chief Clare Rewcastle-Brown has repeatedly refuted Melanyi’s allegations.

Malaysiakini reporter barred

Meanwhile at the press conference today, Malaysiakini was approached by a press officer attached to MCA’s headquarters just prior to the start of the press conference.

She said that upon checking with Liow’s press secretary Lim Chau Leng, Malaysiakini is not among the media outlet invited to attend today’s press conference and ‘advised’ the online news portal’s reporter not to enter the venue.

 

Malaysiakini has attempted to contact Lim for an explanation but to no avail.

The last time Malaysiakini had attended one of Liow’s press conference was on July 12. Like today, Liow was speaking to reporters after chairing the MCA central committee meeting.

It had reported that Liow dodged questions regarding Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ( photo ) and 1MDB, and had instead called on the public to allow time for the special task force investigating the claims to complete its work.

Today is not the first time Malaysiakini has been barred from entering from an MCA event however.

Malaysiakini had previously received an invitation last year to cover MCA’s annual general meeting, but was then told that it has reversed its decision and decided not to invite the news portal to the function.

This is supposedly because it had ‘twisted statements’ of MCA’s leaders.

The news portal is also similarly barred from covering Umno supreme council meetings and functions at the Prime Minister’s Office.