Malaysia hit an historic low in the World Press Freedom Index ranking 147 out of 180 countries in the latest index produced by Reporters Without Borders.

PETALING JAYA: DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang made a snide remark against Prime Minister Najib Tun Razaks best democracy in the world claim after Malaysia was ranked 147 in the World Press Freedom Index, out of a total of 180 countries.

Shame of shame! This is the worst setback to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razaks best democracy in the world claim with Malaysias 2014 Press Freedom Index falling to the lowest point in nations history, even below that of Myanmar, Lim said in a statement today.

In 2013, Malaysia was ranked 145 out of 179 countries, falling 23 rungs from the previous year.

Malaysia already plunged last year to a historic low of No 145 ranking out of 179 countries in the 2013 World Press Freedom Index the worst since the start of the annual index by Reporters Without Border (RSF) in 2002.

In the latest 2014 World Press Freedom Index just released, Malaysia fell further to 147 out of 180 countries, two places behind Myanmar which climbed from 151st ranking to 145th position this year, he added.

There are nine other South East Asian countries ranked higher than Malaysia in this latest index.

Asean nations which outperformed Malaysia include Brunei (117), Thailand (130), Indonesia (132), Cambodia (144), Myanmar (145), Philippines (149), Singapore (150), Laos (171) and Vietnam (174), Lim added.

Lim also stressed that the Malaysian ranking has plummeted ever since Najib took over the administration.

Malaysia was in a respectable ranking of 92nd position in 2006 but under Najibs premiership, Malaysia is now locked into the worst position, in the bottom quarter of 180 countries assessed.

Read more:

Sliding press freedom: Best democracy in the world?