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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol. 38, No. 18. July 23rd 1975
Control of Mass Media in Malaysia — MASSAL (Malaysian and Singaporean Students Association in London) 1.2.75
Control of Mass Media in Malaysia
MASSAL (Malaysian and Singaporean Students Association in London) 1.2.75
1. The Printing Presses Act of 1948 (amendments in 1971 and 1974)
The Act stipulates that a potential publish-ermust secure a licence to use a printing press, as well as a permit (called a KDN number) authorising him to print or publish a newspaper. Both the licence and the permit expire each 31 December, and must be renewed through the Ministry of Home Affairs, which can withdraw either without explanantion at any time. When a licence or Permit is withdrawn, the publisher has the right of appeal to the King. The Minister, when issuing a permit, may make conditions upon the publisher, such as requiring him to print in the languages specified in the permit or to post bond against penalties imposed because of potential violation of this or other Acts. Since 1970, all permit holders must guarantee that their publications will not distort facts relating to public order incidents within Malaysia, will not inflame or stir up communal hostility, or use material likely to prejudice public order or national security. Any change in ownership of the press must be declared to the Registrar within 21 days. The Ministry also has the power to direct publishers to insert in their papers a denial or correction written on the Ministers terms, if he feels a statement is false.
2. The Internal Security Act of 1960
This Act makes special provisions relating to subversive publications and reinforces the Sedition Ordinance. The Minister of Home Affairs is given broad restrictive powers over mass media. The most unattractive characteristic of the Internal Security Act however, is that it allows for preventative detention of suspects who have not been formally charged and who are not given an opportunity to challenge the grounds for their detention.
3. The Public Order (Preservation) Ordinance of 1958
Under this Act, the Minister in charge of Internal Security can authorise the telecommunications authorities to withdraw totally or partially the use of any or all telecommunications facilities from any person, group of persons or the public at large.
4. The National News Agency - Bernama.
The Malaysian Government uses Bernama to disseminate information to the mass media. This Agency was established by Act of Parliament on April 6, 1967, with a Government grant of $1,500,000. In its first phase Bernama transmitted only Kuala Lumpur news, but, by 1 July, 1969, its coverage was extended to Penang, Ipoh, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. A year later, state offices and bureaux were developed throughout the country and correspondents were stationed in Jakarta and Bangkok. The fourth stage was initiated in September, 1973, when Bernama began the reception and retransmission of foreign news to the Malaysian mass media. By this means the government is attempting to control all news entering and leaving Malaysia.
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Troops at the main entrance of the University of Malaya.
5. The Control of Imported Publications Ordinance of 1958.
The Minister of Home Affairs can stop the importation of any publication at his discretion, and the ban can be permanent. For example: Play boy magazine has been banned in Malaysia since May, 1972, and the 5 November, 1973 issue of Time magazine was stopped because of its use of a picture and caption of the prophet Mohammed. The June, 1973 issue of The Far Eastern Economic Review was banned because of a story on the Malaysian Chinese Association crisis, and on 3 September, 1973, an issue has pages 27 and 28 deleted because of a story on the new deputy prime minister of Malaysia