HISTORY OF THE PRESS IN MALAYSIA

The earliest newspaper in Malaysia was established by the British in Penang in 1805 and was known as the Prince of Wales Island Gazette.[Source: Lloyd Johnson, World Press Encyclopedia, Gale Group Inc., 2003]

Throughout much of the twentieth century, the Malaysian government maintained tight control over the press, often citing political instability as justification for censorship. In 1968, the national news agency, Bernama, began operations. Later, the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984 granted the Home Affairs Minister the authority to revoke publishing permits deemed harmful to national interests. As a result, Malaysia has often been described as having one of the more restrictive media environments.

During the 1930s, under British colonial rule, strict press regulations were introduced out of concern over the spread of communism. The Malayan Communist Party was founded in Singapore in April 1930, with a membership largely drawn from urban Chinese communities, many of whom were later arrested. The party eventually became active in labor movements before collapsing in 1990.

Despite these restrictions, the Malay-language press experienced significant growth during this period. Between 1900 and 1918, thirteen newspapers and journals were launched, with Singapore accounting for the majority. Religious reform publications such as Al-Iman (1906–1908) and Neracha (1911–1915) emerged alongside secular titles like Utusan Melayu (1907–1921) and Lembaga Melayu (1914–1931).

Early Publications and Editors in Malaysia

Utusan Melayu

and Lembaga Melayu were modeled after British-style journalism, aiming to present more balanced reporting. However, both reflected the editorial direction of Mohd Eunos bin Abdullah, often regarded as a pioneer of Malay journalism. Born in Singapore in 1876 to a Sumatran merchant family, Abdullah was educated locally and later graduated from Raffles Institution. After working in port administration, he joined the Free Press, where he edited its Malay section and recognized the demand for vernacular publications. With support from William Makepeace, he founded Utusan Melayu in 1907. [Source: Lloyd Johnson, World Press Encyclopedia, Gale Group Inc., 2003]

Published three times weekly in Malay, Utusan Melayu combined international cable news with local reporting tailored to urban readers in Singapore. It also addressed a wide range of public issues and was even used as a teaching aid in schools.

In 1914, Abdullah also edited Lembaga Melayu, a moderately progressive publication modeled after the Malaya Tribune. While it did not initially feature editorials, it carried international news reports and became the only daily newspaper in Malaysia until it ceased publication in 1931.

Following its closure, Onn bin Ja’afar established Warta Malaya in 1931, which gained prominence among Malay readers. Unlike earlier papers, it focused more on the Malay Peninsula rather than Singapore. The publication addressed issues such as education, economic development, and political rights, while also criticizing British colonial policies.

By the mid-1930s, more than eighty periodicals were circulating across Singapore and the Malay Peninsula. In 1935 and 1936 alone, twenty-five new Malay-language newspapers were introduced. The growth of journalism was supported by increasing literacy rates and affordable pricing, making newspapers widely accessible, especially among teachers and civil servants. Notable pre-war publications included Warta Malaya (1931–1941), Majlis (1931–1941), Lembaga (1935–1941), and Utusan Melayu (1939–1941).

Political Unrest and the Press in Malaysia

In January 1941, Japanese forces invaded northern Malaya, later occupying Singapore and Sarawak. During the occupation, many newspapers were shut down, and Chinese communities faced severe repression. After the British returned in 1945, the region experienced renewed political tension, including the resurgence of communist movements. During the Emergency (1948–1960), the government imposed strict media controls as part of its anti-insurgency efforts.

Ethnic tensions erupted again in 1969 following political upheaval involving the Malaysian Chinese Association. Riots resulted in at least 178 deaths, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak temporarily replaced parliamentary rule with the National Operations Council.

On August 13, 1970, Malaysia introduced a national ideology known as Rukunegara. Its principles emphasized loyalty to the monarchy, belief in God, respect for the Constitution, adherence to the rule of law, and mutual respect among citizens.

Ongoing social tensions, combined with legislation such as the Publications Act (amended in 1984), further restricted press freedom. By the early 2000s, most newspapers were either state-controlled or heavily regulated, with content largely focused on domestic affairs and limited critical reporting.

Economic Framework of the Malaysia

Malaysia’s economy rebounded after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad attributed the downturn to international currency speculation, particularly by foreign investors. In response, the government reduced spending and postponed major infrastructure projects. By 2000, economic growth had resumed, supported by increased exports and fiscal discipline under the Sixth Malaysia Plan. [Source: Lloyd Johnson, World Press Encyclopedia, Gale Group Inc., 2003]

Despite economic liberalization in sectors such as industry and privatization, media freedom remained limited. The government maintained significant influence over publishing and broadcasting, with strong links between political institutions and media organizations. For example, the Ministry of Finance held a stake in the company operating Mega TV, while political party investment arms also maintained ownership interests.

Geographical factors, including the separation between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, complicate newspaper distribution. Circulation patterns often reflect ethnic and regional differences, with English-language papers popular in urban areas and Malay-language publications dominant in rural regions. Cross-border circulation between Malaysia and Singapore is also restricted.

The rise of digital media began in the mid-1990s, with The Star launching its website in 1995. By the early 2000s, several newspapers had established online platforms, expanding access to news content.

Press Freedoms and Political Ownership of Media in Malaysia

Relations between the media and government have often been tense, with journalists facing limitations on their ability to report critically. Editors have been removed, and publications suspended, following disputes with authorities. Efforts to reform media laws have faced resistance, despite calls from journalists and advocacy groups for greater press freedom. [Source: Lloyd Johnson, World Press Encyclopedia, Gale Group Inc., 2003]

Major newspapers in Malaysia are largely controlled by political parties or their affiliated investment entities. The Utusan Melayu Group has close ties to the ruling party, while The Star is linked to the Malaysian Chinese Association. Tamil-language publications are similarly connected to political organizations aligned with the government coalition. These relationships have raised concerns about media bias. During elections, for instance, newspapers have been observed to favor government advertising over opposition campaigns. Critics argue that ownership structures discourage new entrants and limit diversity of viewpoints.

In May 2015, investigative news website the Sarawak Report broke the 1MDB corruption scandal — millions of dollars allegedly misappropriated from the country’s development fund into Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal bank accounts. According to Al Jazeera: Coverage of the story revealed something many Malaysians already knew: that the country's media landscape is split between mainstream outlets unwilling to report such stories and online publishers facing increasing pressure to keep silent. News sites have been blocked, editors have been called in for questioning and even foreign journalists have been detained in association with coverage of the scandal. [Source: Al Jazeera, April 18, 2016]

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has also warned social media users against spreading "false news" in relation to 1MD, threatening prosecution and even possible jail terms. Malaysia's censorship record, however, hasn't always been at the extreme end of the media blackout spectrum, the 1990s being the high point of its journalistic freedom. The Listening Post's Meenakshi Ravi reports on the difficulties of covering corruption in Malaysia under a government that is now determined to reign in the online media space.

Press Laws and Censorship in Malaysia

Malaysia’s media landscape is shaped by laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which grants broad powers to the government. Introduced during Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure, the law requires all publications to obtain licenses that can be revoked without judicial review. These regulations have been used to limit dissenting views and maintain control over information. Media outlets are often aligned with ruling political coalitions, influencing both print and broadcast coverage. [Source: Lloyd Johnson, World Press Encyclopedia, Gale Group Inc., 2003]

Government authorities retain the power to ban both domestic and imported materials under various laws. In some cases, books and publications have been confiscated for allegedly threatening public order or racial harmony. Officials may also restrict journalists’ access to information, particularly when national security or sensitive political issues are involved.

The Malaysian government has traditionally viewed foreign media with caution. Journalists from abroad must register with authorities and obtain permits, while coverage deemed negative may face restrictions. High-profile cases, including the imprisonment of foreign journalists, have drawn international criticism and highlighted tensions between Malaysia and Western media organizations. Government leaders have frequently criticized foreign reporting, advocating for alternative narratives and greater control over information flows.

Significant Dates
1984: Revision of the Printing Presses and Publications Act.
1994: Communist Party activity ends in Malaysia.
1998: Anwar Ibrahim is jailed; MalaysiaKini is launched.
1999: Journalists call for reform of press laws.
2001: Debate over media licensing intensifies.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings; 1993; New York Times; Washington Post; Los Angeles Times; Smithsonian magazine; Encyclopedia.com; National Geographic; Live Science; Malaysia Tourism websites; Malaysia government websites; UNESCO; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Natural History magazine; Times of London; Library of Congress; The Conversation; The New Yorker; Time; BBC; CNN; Reuters; Associated Press; AFP; Lonely Planet Guides; Google AI; Wikipedia; The Guardian and various websites; books and other publications.

Last updated May 2026