SHAH ALAM – Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Akmal Salleh has criticised a DAP minister for allegedly threatening a journalist who posed a question, describing the move as hypocritical given the minister’s past calls for media freedom while in the opposition.
In a Facebook post, Dr Akmal took aim at the minister without naming them, saying those who once championed media freedom were now unable to handle press scrutiny.
"When they were in the opposition, they loudly criticised the government over press freedom.
"But now that they’re ministers, they can’t even handle a question from a journalist and worse, they threaten to take action against them. What a foolish minister!," he said.
Dr Akmal’s remarks came after widespread backlash over a minister’s alleged intimidation of a journalist, which drew condemnation from media advocacy groups and the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM).
NUJM issued a stern reminder to the government that journalists must be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of harassment or reprisal.
The union said threatening reporters for asking questions undermined the very principles of democracy and transparency that leaders should uphold.
"Threats or intimidation against journalists are unacceptable. Public officials must respect the media’s role in seeking accountability and truth," NUJM said.
The union also called on ministers to set an example in promoting press freedom and to engage constructively with the media, even when faced with tough or uncomfortable questions.
Although NUJM did not name the minister involved, the statement followed a video showing Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reprimanding an Utusan Malaysia journalist during a press conference.
The exchange reportedly took place during the pre-launch of the "I Lite U" project yesterday, held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
At the press conference, Nga was asked why the programme was conducted in English instead of the national language.
At first, he explained that it was a tourism event, therefore using English was more suitable to attract international tourists.
However, he then asked which media outlet the journalist represented.
After the journalist replied, "Utusan Malaysia", Nga responded: "I will remember that and I will be calling your chief editors. I do not want you coming here and ruining the event with such a question. I will hold Utusan Malaysia accountable, I will call your chief editors because this concerns national interest."