{"id":57965,"date":"2020-08-03T06:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-08-02T20:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?p=57965"},"modified":"2020-08-02T19:43:49","modified_gmt":"2020-08-02T09:43:49","slug":"attack-on-media-freedom-in-malaysia-demands-australian-response","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/attack-on-media-freedom-in-malaysia-demands-australian-response\/","title":{"rendered":"Attack on media freedom in Malaysia demands Australian response"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/figure>\n

Malaysia\u2019s attack on journalists employs old methods with nods to current fashion.<\/p>\n

Clinging to power with a razor-thin majority<\/a>, the government that snatched office in March brandishes a dictatorial bludgeon to batter the media.<\/p>\n

The purpose is to cling to power<\/a> and galvanise conservative voters. One tactic is to control and intimidate journalists.<\/p>\n

The crackdown<\/a> uses Malaysian instruments with elements of Trumpian \u2018fake news\u2019 and dollops of Duterte. Malaysia adopts the media repression and authoritarianism<\/a> that are a new normal in the Philippines<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Malaysia\u2019s elite needs all the distractions it can generate. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak is convicted of abuse of power, breach of trust and money-laundering and sentenced to 12 years\u2019 jail<\/a>. Najib remains a member of parliament<\/a> and is one vote of that slim majority.<\/p>\n

A king of kleptocracy falls while the old kleptocracy rises again, wielding power in ways both cynical and ruthless, stirring the ingredients of contempt, sedition and insult to Malaysia.<\/p>\n