Anifah said the government had not taken any action against the UK-based website even though it had been publishing stories tarnishing the country’s image.
“We practice democracy, but some parties still claim we don’t give space for free speech,” he said.
“Sarawak Report has published many reports, but we have not taken any action,” he added.
“Because the people want freedom of speech and freedom of media, we try to understand that,” he said during a buka puasa event in Putrajaya today.
Anifah said Putrajaya had not wanted to take action against Sarawak Report because it was concerned about how the public might react.
“But we cannot keep quiet as it involves the country’s interests,” he said, adding that legal action could be taken against the website.
Sarawak Report has published several exposes on alleged scandals involving Malaysia’s leaders, such as former sarawak chief minister Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, and over government-owned state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Many years ago the then Malaysian Home Minister (Hishamuddin Hussein) declared that he would “leave no stone unturned” to find what legal means existed to attack Sarawak Report.
This threat has been recently repeated by his current successor.
The international libel courts are of course there and ready, were our reports untrue. BN can afford them, whereas most others cannot.
Sadly, this has nothing to do with a respect for our freedom of speech. It has everything to do with the fact that we have broken no law; we have done all within our power to communicate the truth and no libel has been committed.
Anifah is also concerned the public will support us against any action by him.
It is Malaysia’s saving grace that public opinion does still hold some sway in the balance of power. This should not be let go of, but rather strengthened to allow Malaysia to become a true and beacon democratic state in Asia.