If Hisham can't control Utusan, he should step down

Folks, Utusan Malaysia is not only the mouth-piece of UMNO, it has now taken a bigger and more significant role - as the moral compass of the behemoth political party that rules Barisan Nasional.

“The government needs to learn from this incident. To ensure peace and public safety, the authorities should immediately act against the troublemakers. Don’t waste the support of more than 4,000 non-governmental organisations and individuals who have lodged police reports against Bersih.

“The delay in taking action against the organisers and supporters of the illegal rally on July 9 can erode the people’s support because the government is seen as unable to implement the law. So, do not send the wrong message to the people, (that you are) afraid to take any action against the opposition leaders and Bersih organisers,” the Malay-language daily wrote in an editorial released on July 27.

Well-said but Utusan Malaysia is arrogant in saying that the government has not taken action against Bersih organisers and supporters. In the month leading up to the July 9th march, it was Utusan Malaysia who blew the trumpet on some of the worse bits of news-reporting ever seen in Malaysian history.

Political masters

Utusan Malaysia brought the art of story-telling, gossip mongering and under-the-belt lies to new heights, totally under the watch of its political masters and immune to any form of action by the authorities.

It was Utusan who spearheaded the move to create religious and racial polarization in Malaysia, with editorials that blatantly set out to pit groups against each other along racial and religious lines. From Christians, to Jews, Communists, Indonesians and even yellow t-shirts; all have been branded as suspects that threatened national security - according to Utusan’s logic.

“As long as there is no legal action against the Bersih organisers who had triggered chaos in the capital city recently, it will seem like they are free to continue to spread accusations during their political talks,” the editorial continued.

Utusan can say this, knowing that NO legal action will be taken against them. When Utusan’s editorial warning of a Christian conspiracy to change the federal religion and install a Christian Prime Minister was proven to be a mere fabrication of a pro-UMNO blogger, Utusan received a slap on the wrist from the Home Minister.

“What we are concerned about is the wrong perception will arise if the authorities are too careful and slow to take action against those who were involved. It will even give chance to the group to manipulate the Bersih demonstration as is happening now,” the editorial went on to say.

Tarnishing international image

International perception of Malaysia has been tarnished by Utusan itself when it set out to demonize every other person on the planet except its own UMNO masters, for the gross brutality meted out towards Bersih supporters.

In light of the garbage that Utusan Malaysia has published, it amazes intellectual Malaysians as to why the Home Ministry has kept silent and not reacted to Utusan’s antics. In fact, the Home Ministry seems to be allergic only to all things not UMNO-backed.

In June 2010, the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein suspended the distribution of Suara Keadilan, the newspaper of the main opposition party, PKR or the People's Justice Party by refusing to renew the licence for its publication. In July, the government restricted distribution of another opposition paper, Harakah, run by PAS or the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party.

Police arrested political cartoonist Zunar in September 2010 before the launch of his book Cartoon-o-phobia and confiscated copies. He was charged under the Sedition Act and faced up to three years in prison.

In June 2011, the Home Affairs Ministry banned three of the cartoonist's earlier books and magazines as being "detrimental to public order" under the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984. Under this law, printing and distributing these cartoons were punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or fines of up to RM20,000. Zunar was released on bail.

Step down if you can't do the job

If Utusan Malaysia can demand that the UMNO-led government take action against those that cause harm to the nation, then it is also right that the people of Malaysia demand that Hishammuddin takes action against Utusan for publishing lies on a continuous basis.

For it is clear, the Home Minister is practising double-standards in his dealings with news agencies in Malaysia. Other than repressing the truth, he has allowed instruments such as Utusan to continue to create rifts within the fabric of Malaysian society.

Take action against Utusan Malaysia, and if unable to do so, then step down and allow someone else who can, ensure sanity in the way news is published in Malaysia.

- Malaysia Chronicle