Ministry's The Heat explanation panned: Najib, ROSMAH told to stop playing LORD & LADY games

KUALA LUMPUR - The Home Ministry has explained that a political weekly, The Heat, was suspended because it failed to keep the authorities informed of changes in its ownership and of its purpose of being a business magazine.

However, critics were unconvinced by the late clarification, pointing to the public-listed entities that own The Star and NST dailies as "classic cases that refute Zahid's excuses for Najib and Rosmah."

"It looks more like Home Minister Zahid Hamidi is trying to grab any excuses he can lay his hands on because he must be in very hot soup over this fiasco. For example, shareholdings change on a daily basis for listed companies. Very often nominees firms are also used, so how does Zahid explain NST which is controlled by Umno and The Star which is controlled by MCA," Eddie Lee, a PKR veteran told Malaysia Chronicle.

He was responding to a statement issued by the Home Ministry on Saturday, which is 4 days after news of The Heat's suspension had leaked out.

"The Heat’s publication permit states that the outlet is required to inform the Home Ministry of any change of ownership. Furthermore, the permit provides for a weekly business magazine. However, these provisions were violated," the Ministry said in a statement.

Reign of Terror

The suspension had shocked the nation, prompting concern that Malaysia, like North Korea, had entered into a new 'Reign of Terror', where Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor were omnipotent.

Those who displeased the top duo would be given short shrift and shown the door, just like The Heat, critics warned.

Indeed, this is the view of many Malaysians despite the Home Ministry's clarification.

"Recently the new weekly's license was suspended by the Home Ministry. Their only fault was they highlighted the excessive spending habits of PM Najib and Rosmah," Wangsa Maju MP Tan Kee Kwong told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Recently Rosmah went on a private trip to the Middle East and was allowed to use a government plane. What nonsense. Siti Hasmah, the wife of former PM Dr Mahatir, never did this. Neither did the late Endon, wife of former PM Pak Lah. Come on Najib. Face the truth. Because of all this your popularity dropped by 10 points."

Kee Kwong was referring to a Merdeka Centre survey which found Najib's popularity rating had fallen 10 percentage points from 62% in September to 52% in December.

Roll up your sleeves, fight inflation SIDE BY SIDE with the people

The Heat which was launched in September had suspended publication this week after getting a second show cause letter from the Ministry.

The Heat's officials have so far kept mum but it is believed the real motive for the suspension order was due to the article titled 'All eyes on big-spending PM Najib' in its Nov 23 to 29 issue.

Since the 60-year-old Najib came to power in April 2009, both he and Rosmah have often been criticized for their expensive habits. Their muliti million ringgit utility bill has become a favorite topic of conversation, as has Rosmah's legendary shopping sprees.

The Cabinet's green light for her to use the government's private jet even when attending private functions have stirred widespread public unease as the extravagance comes at a time when her husband is urging the people to tighten their belt.

So far, petrol prices have been hiked twice and on the cards are assessment rate hikes, toll hikes, electricity rate hikes and a slew of subsidy cuts plus a dreaded Goods and Services Tax.

"Najib's famous quote 'endless possibilities' is going to haunt him. 2014 will be a year of endless price increases for Malaysia. Petrol and sugar have gone up, now electricity rates, toll rates, school bus fares and assessment rates in KL," slammed Kee Kwong.

"But instead of rolling up his sleeves and fighting inflation side by side with the people like the Opposition is doing, he and Rosmah wants to play Lord and Lady of the country. I think enough is enough." - Malaysia Chronicle