(CPJ/IFEX) – According to CPJ, Johan Jaafar, the group editor-in-chief of Malaysia’s most influential publishing company has resigned under political pressure from the ruling party. Jaafar, who oversees the leading Malay-language daily newspaper “Utusan Malaysia”, was pressured to resign his post by the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the party headed by Prime Minister […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – According to CPJ, Johan Jaafar, the group editor-in-chief of
Malaysia’s most influential publishing company has resigned under political
pressure from the ruling party. Jaafar, who oversees the leading
Malay-language daily newspaper “Utusan Malaysia”, was pressured to resign
his post by the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the party
headed by Prime Minister Dato’Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, according to news
reports and CPJ sources. He submitted his resignation on 14 July 1998.
Malaysian journalists say that recent reports in “Utusan Malaysia” have
proven embarrassing to some UMNO party leaders. For example, prominent
coverage was given to severe operational problems at Malaysia’s new airport.
And the newspaper is perceived to have sided with Deputy Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim in its coverage of intra-party struggles over political and
economic reform. The paper is part of the Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd.
group, whose stock is largely owned by UMNO.
CPJ has long been concerned that the Malaysian press is hamstrung by strict
licensing regulations and a pattern of ownership that gives the ruling UMNO
party overwhelming control of the popular press. The result has been a media
culture largely marked by self-censorship and what some Malaysian
journalists call a “speak no evil” approach to sensitive issues.
It is alarming that even the mild criticisms raised by “Utusan Malaysia” in
recent weeks seem to have encountered political pressure. With a daily
circulation of 250,000, “Utusan Malaysia” is a crucial press voice in
Malaysia and CPJ fears that the resignation of Jaafar may be the beginning
of a crackdown against attempts by the Malaysian press to print independent
views. CPJ believes that the best path to democratic reform and economic
progress is through the open debate afforded by a free press.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Prime Minister Dato’Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad:
played in Jaafar’s resignation
not signal increased sanctions against journalists who scrutinize his
leadership
Appeals To
His Excellency Dato’Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Prime Minister
Jabatan Perdana Menteri
Jalan Dato’ Onn
Kuala Lumpur 50502
Malaysia
Fax: +603 238 3691/3784 or 298 4172
e-mail marsineh@smpke.jpm.my
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
