Malaysiakini was again barred from attending a press conference by MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik today. This marks the fifth time this year that he has not allowed its reporters into his conferences.

His press secretary said the online daily was barred because it did not have the official credentials in the form of a press card that is only given to journalists in media organisations accredited by the government.

The minister and his aide have also accused the website of being biased and lopsided in its reporting when refusing its reporters from attending his press conferences.

However, a copy of Ling's speech, which was delivered prior to the press conference, was given to malaysiakini . Ling, in his capacity as transport minister, had earlier on opened the 18th Asia-Pacific regional meeting organised by the international federation of air traffic controllers association.

The minister said that the government would be pumping in RM1 billion to upgrade Malaysian airports in the next five years.