KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 22 -- The Dewan Rakyat Speaker has stressed that new guidelines governing the use of Parliament's media centre are not aimed at curbing MPs' freedom of speech, but at preventing the facility from being misused for partisan purposes.

According to Berita Harian, Tan Sri Johari Abdul said MPs are now required to give advance notice if they intend to use the media centre, which is reserved for comments on public and government matters.

"The procedures displayed in the media room are there to ensure there is no abuse.

"MPs can use all the facilities here. except those meant for outsiders. But they must be used for matters relating to the public and the government.

"For example, if an MP wants to talk about politics - Pol...