Non-Malay journalists barred from Dr M’s talk

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — Organisers of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s talk told news editors today to only send Malay reporters and television crew to cover the event.

Majlis Bekas Wakil Rakyat Malaysia held a discourse entitled “Malay race and the future” at the Tun Hussein Onn Memorial here.

An Indian reporter from the news portal Malaysiakini was barred from entering the hall and later was also barred from the press conference.

A representative from the organising committee told reporters that Dr Mahathir (picture) had said that he did not want the news portal to cover the talk.

However, an aide to the former prime minister denied such an order was given and said the allegation was ludicrous.

When the representative was confronted again, he said he had “received orders from the top”.

“We received orders from the top. We didn’t want any controversy from the event,” he said.

When pressed if the reporter was barred because of her race, the representative just walked away and refused to comment. - Malaysian Insider