Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng called Malaysia’s drop from 88th to 95th in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a serious setback after last year’s gain.
He said the timing is telling, with the ranking released just days before World Press Freedom Day.
“I am appalled and disappointed that there has been no direct response from top government leaders, and equally troubling, silence from the opposition,” he said.
Lim said Malaysia is now ranked below Timor-Leste (30), Papua New Guinea (73) and Thailand (92), a position that reflects poorly on the country’s commitment to press freedom.
“Press freedom is not optional. It is the backbone of accountability. Continued silence only gives the impression that this decline is being tolerated,” he added.
He urged the government to respond without delay, stressing that the public is entitled to a credible explanation.