The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is investigating complaints filed on the leak that Bersih, independent pollster Merdeka Center and Malaysiakini received funding from the Open Society Foundation (OSF).

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said the commission has received several reports regarding this.

"We have to investigate first. You can't take action without an investigation. We have to follow the procedure.

"We have identified the source (of the funding).

"Malaysia's laws are clear, action will be taken against any party that breaks the law," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Salleh, who did not elaborate on the details of the complaints or the law which was allegedly broken, said once investigations are completed, MCMC would submit its findings to the relevant authority for further action.

Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan reiterated that the news portal had provided a detailed explanation on the funds and is more than willing to cooperate with the authorities should there be an investigation.

Gan also denied that Malaysiakini is not about toppling governments, but holding those in power accountable to the public.

Meanwhile, Penang DAP organising secretary Wong Hon Wai criticised those urging MCMC to probe Malaysiakini.

"Such actions threaten the country's press freedom," said the Air Itam assemblyperson, who is also Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary.

"Malaysia fell to 146 in the World Press Freedom Index due to all kinds of laws and administrative actions which violate freedom of the media,” Wong added.

Warisan not a threat to BN

At the press conference today, Salleh said Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), led by former Umno minister Shafie Apdal, is not a threat to BN.

"History has shown that we (the people) are with BN.

"Political competition is common, but I can't see Warisan posing a threat to Sabah BN. God willing, we will win the next general election comfortably.

"This is because we have a team, we have plans and we implement them," Salleh added.

Earlier, Salleh announced that the KL International Youth Discourse 2016 would be launched by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on Nov 26.

He said the discourse would be the platform for youth to share their views and grievances with the government, as well as to address the issue of extremism from the influence of Islamic State in the country.

Citing the war waged by US after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks and the Guantanamo Bay scandal, Salleh said they were mistakes committed when addressing extremism.

He stressed that dialogues such as the KL International Youth Discourse 2016 would fill the empty narrative.

"This isn't about being soft on terrorism. It's about fighting them on the contemporary battlefield.

"The fastest and most efficient way to combat terrorism is to affect its consumers, those who have felt that the government of the day has failed to listen to them," Salleh said.