The United States has expressed concern over the Malaysian government’s actions to restrict access to both domestic and international reporting on Malaysian current affairs.

“The government’s Feb 25 decision to block online news portal The Malaysian Insider is only the latest in a series of similar efforts against media organisations,” it noted.

In a statement issued by the US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby, the superpower said it is further "troubled" that the Malaysian government has not acted transparently nor provided due process to the targeted media organisations and platforms prior to blocking access.

It is also concerned that the government had initiated criminal investigations against reporters, editors, and publishers from Malaysian and international media organisations.

“Of equal concern, many Malaysian social media users face charges for postings critical of the government and national leaders.

“Malaysian officials have also publicly highlighted the coming amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) that would further restrict online space.”

The US and Malaysia, read the statement, have built a strong comprehensive partnership, which the US said it hopes to expand its cooperation on a range of shared challenges.

“In that context, we urge the government of Malaysia to ensure that all its laws, existing and future, fully respect freedom of expression, including the free flow of ideas on the internet.”

It has been a week since TMI was blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The news portal remains inaccessible on major telco providers.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak had confirmed that among the reasons TMI was blocked was due to an article concerning Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.