NUJ admits receiving funds from Nong Chik

The union, however, denies that the 'donations' were given in return for playing up the NFC fiasco to undermine Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

PETALING JAYA: The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has admitted receiving donations amounting between RM2,000 and RM3,000 on an annual basis from Federal Territories and Urban Well Being Minister, Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

Its general secretary V Anbalagan however denied that NUJ received instructions to play up the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) controversy against Women, Family and Community Minister, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“Anyone can donate to NUJ. It is clearly stated in our constitution but no one can give us money to play up the issue. It is against the principles of journalism,” he said.

Anbalagan was responding to allegations made by Raja Petra Kamarudin on his Malaysia Today website today.

In an article entitled, “The Raja Nong Chik saga”, Raja Petra alleged that the minister gave NUJ RM2,000 to play up the NFC issue against the interest of Shahrizat, who is also the Wanita Umno chief.

Raja Petra also published a CIMB bank receipt as proof of payment to NUJ.

This, according to Raja Petra, was done so that Shahrizat would not be fielded as a candidate in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency in the 13th general election.

Nong Chik is currently Lembah Pantai Umno division leader and Kuala Lumpur Umno deputy liaison chief. He is said to eyeing the seat.

Anbalagan also dismissed Raja Petra’s allegation on the basis that the newspapers were not owned by the union.

“The newspapers do not belong to NUJ. I don’t have control over Utusan (Malaysia) and other newspapers. It is a stupid allegation,” he said.