PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today attributed the country’s significant drop in this year’s Press Freedom Index (PFI) to the Council of Rulers’ wish not to be publicly criticised.

According to Anwar, while the government allows the people to speak freely, they also have to respect the Malay rulers’ position.

“Speaking about the PFI, we are also tied down by the 3R (race, religion, royalty) problem.

“While we permit the people to speak, the Council of Malay Rulers is very strict. We are also bound by the rulers’ wishes