Berita Harian gets knuckle rap for Ultraman cartoon

March 14, 2011

The BH caricature had made light of Japan’s tsunami disaster, where the death toll is expected to hit 10,000. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 — Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Berita Harian has been given a stern warning for publishing in its Sunday edition, a caricature that treated the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan as a joke.

He said considering that as the illustration was related to a humanitarian matter, no legal action could be taken against the newspaper under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 or Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act.

“We only issued a stern warning so that the offending action would not be repeated,” he said after witnessing the signing of a concession agreement between Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB) and the government, here, today.

Rais also reminded the newspaper not to use calamities like earthquakes or tsunami as a source of humour.

“We have told Berita Harian that there should be no humour in its publication with regard to any disaster as this could hurt people’s feelings. It (disaster) is something that we should all face together.

“So, whether it is Ultraman or any other comic figure, we should not use it as a source of humour. Our views on this have been conveyed to the editors of the newspaper and they have apologised, particularly to the Japanese people,” he said.

Yesterday, Berita Minggu published a caricature by Zoy featuring Ultraman, the popular Japanese superhero, running away helter-skelter from the huge tsunami waves.

Following this, several quarters voiced their objection and regret over the newspaper’s insensitivity to the plight of the Japanese who were hit by the tsunami following the 8.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of north-eastern Japan last Friday.

Berita Harian on its front page today apologised for the offending caricature.

On another matter, Rais said all telecommunications companies (telcos) had been asked to play their role through the short message service (SMS) or alerts in disseminating information to their customers if the situation in the country became unstable.

“I have instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to ensure that all the telcos do this when there are emergencies such as a tsunami and also other difficult situations being experienced by the people.”

As for the signing of the agreement, earlier at the function, it was for a 10-year concession to operate, manage and maintain KL Tower and its surrounding site including five lots of federal land.

According to the agreement, MKLSB is responsible for managing and operating the tower according to the approved standard for telecommunications towers, and also as a tourism and hospitality centre. — Bernama