'Flying bihun' greets lone protester at Utusan HQ

Former Utusan Malaysia reporter Hata Wahari was met with boos and had two packets of fried bihun hurled at him while demonstrating alone in front of his former employer's headquarters.

Dressed in a National Union of Journalist (NUJ) T-shirt and sunglasses, Hata held a large banner with the words, 'Message to Utusanchief editor: Stop irresponsible reporting. Uphold journalistic ethics. Don't spoil Utusan'sfuture for self-interest. Don't be a racist reporter'.

As soon as he tried to unfurl the banner, a senior Utusan editorial staff member tried to snatch it from him, but Hata was unperturbed and stood his ground for about three minutes.

About 40 Utusan staff were seen at the vicinity, including senior editorial staff Mohd Hassan Mohd Nor and Suffian Abu Bakar. Many of them taunted Hata with chants of "Boo", "Balik", "Komunis" and "Hidup Utusan". 

At one point, two packets of fried bihun wrapped in newspaper were hurled at Hata. Ironically, the newspaper used for one of the bihun packets was the cover sheet forUtusan's Mega, a pull-out on agricultural issues.

Following this, the police urged Hata to leave the area. There were about 60 police personnel observing the proceedings.

Earlier, Hata told reporters that racial slants by the newspaper was against journalistic ethics.

Hata used to be a senior Utusanreporter from 1995 until he was sacked on May 2, 2011. The following year, he marked his sacking with a similar solo protest, but postponed this year's protest because May 2 was during the election campaign period.

"We need to do something because many are criticising Utusan now and I just want to show my displeasure.

"Look at their worsening editorial policy and (lack of) journalistic ethics, along with overly racist headlines. No action is taken on the editors and reporters.

"What is happening is very saddening. The media should be protecting the rakyat," he said, adding that he came alone because he did not want to involve others.