(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 21 January 2002 letter to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, CPJ expressed deep concern that political pressure may have prompted the recent wave of resignations, suspensions, and lay-offs at “The Sun” newspaper. Local journalists have told CPJ that the radical retrenchment of the daily’s staff is part of an […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 21 January 2002 letter to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, CPJ expressed deep concern that political pressure may have prompted the recent wave of resignations, suspensions, and lay-offs at “The Sun” newspaper. Local journalists have told CPJ that the radical retrenchment of the daily’s staff is part of an effort to rein in its political coverage, which had been more independent and aggressive than that of any other mainstream news outlet in Malaysia.
Nearly all mainstream Malaysian newspapers are owned or controlled by parties aligned with the ruling National Front. Vincent Tan, a close associate of the prime minister, owns “The Sun”, Malaysia’s third-largest English-language daily. Like all other newspapers in Malaysia, it is generally not at odds with the regime. However, at times it has published reports on controversial topics, including party divisions within the Malaysian Chinese Association, a leading partner of the National Front.
On 25 December 2001, “The Sun” published a report detailing an alleged assassination plot against the prime minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Citing police sources, the paper reported that police had foiled the plot.
On 26 December, the prime minister denied any knowledge of the plot and claimed the story could potentially damage Malaysia’s international reputation and discourage foreign investment. The same day, officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs called a meeting with “The Sun”‘s chief news editor, Robert Ho.
Also on 26 December, editor-in-chief H’ng Hung Yong resigned. The following day, “The Sun” published a retraction of the article and announced that Ho, reporter R. Manirajan, and photographer Anita Mohamad Nasir had been suspended.
On 27 December, another senior editor named Andy Ng resigned from the paper to protest the suspension of his colleagues. The Board of Directors appointed a shareholder with no editorial experience to replace Ng. The new editor then suspended the managing editor, Cheng Chong Hai.
Ng and the other editors have consistently stood by the 25 December story, saying that government officials verified the report.
Since 11 January, “The Sun”‘s management has dismissed more than forty other staff members, citing financial difficulties. Most of those dismissed were senior journalists. Further layoffs are expected in the near future.
While the prime minister has denied exerting direct pressure on “The Sun”, he said publicly that he is “satisfied” by the resignations of senior editors at the newspaper, according to the national news agency Bernama.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– condemning any state interference in the media
– noting that in order for true democracy to exist in Malaysia, journalists must have the ability to report and publish free of political pressure
– stating that you are aware that the Human Resources Ministry is investigating possible labor violations that may have occurred during the recent staff changes at “The Sun”
– nevertheless, calling on the National Human Rights Commission to investigate possible violations of the journalists’ right to freedom of expression, which the Malaysian Constitution guarantees
– requesting that the results of any inquiry be made public
Appeals To
His Excellency Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Prime Minister
Jabatan Perdana Menteri
Jalan Dato’ Onn
Kuala Lumpur 50502
Malaysia
Fax: +60 3 238 3784
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
