COMMENT It is a sheer waste of time and effort to employ the full force of the law against the Fourth Estate when no threat is posed to the existence of the state.

Journalists are not the enemies of the state when they are on the trail of stories which expose the misdeeds of those in power. They cannot be seen as anti-national elements in carrying out their duty to tell the truth and save the country from ruin.

In Malaysia, the press - whether printed or online - is viewed mostly through the lens of suspicion and animosity.

In recent times, the iron fist of the authorities has come down hard on publications that dared to shed light on the dark and twisting trail of a state-owned company. For its trouble, the government only reaped scorn and rebuke. The credibility of the press stood tall and strong.

Still, the political sharks are circling - bent on vengeance. They want to stifle the press or at least apply sufficient pressure to cow them or make them beg for mercy...