Without access to facts, journalists risk lawsuits, says Zaid

Former Malaysian law minister Zaid Ibrahim has warned journalists covering corrupt practices that lack access to certain facts may find themselves vulnerable to lawsuits. During an interview, he highlighted that journalists often target contractors or developers, which he referred to as "soft targets," when they suspect unfair contracts or dubious projects. However, Ibrahim argued that these entities operate within a "closed system" designed to facilitate corruption and conceal power abuse.

According to Zaid, the contractors and developers are shielded by official secrets that protect decision-makers, preventing journalists from obtaining crucial contract terms. Consequently, journalists often rely on secondary and circumstantial information, which can lead them to become targets of legal action. He emphasized that good journalists have noble intentions but must ensure they are targeting the right entities—namely the government or the approving authority—before exposing the "soft targets" within the system.