Afdlin Warns Of Public Trust Decline After Nga S Threat To Journalist

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Setiawangsa PKR chief Afdlin Shauki Aksan has warned that arrogance and hostility towards the media could cost the coalition government public trust.
This comes after Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming was accused of threatening an Utusan Malaysia journalist during a recent press conference.
Cautioning leaders against repeating the same mistakes once condemned under past administrations, Afdlin urged them to show humility and respect when questioned by the media, stressing that power is a public trust, not a licence to intimidate journalists.
The actor-director-turned-politician said that every arrogant remark or threat from a minister would be seen as coming from the government itself, thus risking the very credibility the unity coalition was built on.
"This is not a personal issue - this is about principles," Afdlin said in a statement yesterday.
"The people rejected the previous government not only because of their policies, but also the behaviour of certain leaders who felt untouchable, belittled journalists’ questions, and used political power to silence others.
“If today, there are leaders in the unity government who begin showing the same traits - getting angry when questioned, belittling journalists, threatening to 'call your boss' - then we are repeating the very mistakes we once condemned."
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor MingNga earlier drew flak from press groups when he told the reporter that he would contact the journalist’s chief editors.
The reporter had asked about the use of English for “I Lite U”, a tourism-related project for the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026.
“I don’t want you to come here and highlight something that will spoil the whole thing. I will call your chief editors,” Nga said after explaining that the use of English was appropriate to draw the attention of international visitors.
Holding govt accountable
Reiterating the values underpinning the coalition government, Afdlin said it was elected on a promise of civility, decency, and reform - not arrogance or intimidation.
He reminded leaders that journalists are part of the public and play a vital role in holding the government accountable.
“Treating journalists harshly, threatening to complain to their editor, or acting as if the media needs to be ‘taught a lesson’ goes against that very spirit,” he reminded.
Afdlin added that ministers must remember they speak not as individuals but as representatives of the government.
“Every arrogant tone will be perceived as the government’s tone. Every threat will be perceived as a government threat. This is no small matter,” he emphasised.
Call for apology
As such, he called upon "any minister or leader" who had acted in such a way to issue a public apology to the affected reporter and the media.
An apology, he insisted, is not a sign of weakness but of political maturity and respect for the people.
"More importantly, I want a clear commitment that the culture of 'calling editors to pressure journalists' will not become the new norm in this government.
"This is not about race or party. This is about the ethics of power.
"Regardless of whether one is Malay, Chinese, Indian, from Sabah or Sarawak - any minister must show courtesy, humility when questioned, and be ready to respond with reason, not threats," he added.
Communications Minister Fahmi FadzilYesterday, Bersatu's young women’s wing lodged more than 10 police reports against Nga as a sign of solidarity with the media and as an expression of their constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil has since affirmed Putrajaya's stance respecting journalists' right to ask questions. - Mkini

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