Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo today instructed national news agency Bernama to clarify why an interview with activist Siti Kasim was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
In a Twitter posting, the Puchong MP said that Bernama has to issue a statement immediately and explain its reasons for cancelling the scheduled interview
“Reasons must be attached on why the interview is cancelled,” he tweeted at 5.39pm today.
Siti had earlier today in her Facebook posting informed her followers that the live show, scheduled today at 3.30pm, was cancelled.
The interview with Siti, best known for her strong criticism of Malaysia’s religious bureaucrats, was to be on the topic of challenges and reforms in post-election Malaysia.
Siti said she was in the dark over who pulled the plug on the interview.
“This is exactly the challenge we still face. I would think the person or persons must be pretty high in the chain of command either at Bernama or at the Ministry of Communication & Multimedia – editorial freedom be damned,” she wrote on Facebook.
The vocal lawyer and activist questioned if Barisan Nasional (BN) was still in charge of Bernama.
“Are BN powers that be and their sycophants still in charge? Do we still have to fight racists and extremists in our government institutions? It seems like it.
“Instead of allowing progressive voices to be heard direct by the rakyat, some people seem intent on presenting their own narrative of what we are all about.
“It seems to me that in this new Malaysia somethings never change. Progressive voices will still need to find other ways to be heard.
“I will not be silenced, ladies and gentlemen. I will always be your voice of reason and for the persecuted,” she wrote.