washington unite state wednesday voice concern malaysia media crackdown suggest extent press internet freedom asian country could affect prospect expand bilateral cooperation u.s. state department spokesman john kirby say washington concern malaysia recent restrictions access report domestic current affairs include last week block access malaysian insider news portal malaysian insider publish report scandal around 1malaysia development berhad investigations 681 million deposit prime minister najib personal account malaysian communications multimedia commission say news portal breach laws communications multimedia act 1998 law bar use website publish comment request suggestion communication obscene indecent false menace offensive character intent annoy abuse threaten harass another person najib deny wrongdoing money transfer account say fund political donation nothing take personal gain unite state also trouble government fail provide due process target media group block access begin criminal investigations reporters editors publishers kirby say equal concern many malaysian social media users face charge post critical government national leaders add say malaysian officials speak legal amendments would restrict online space say unite state hop expand cooperation malaysia share challenge add context urge government malaysia ensure laws exist future fully respect freedom expression include free flow ideas internet u.s. 'very concern media crackdown malaysia