Zahid to media: No warnings, expect action

Don't spin, don't spread lies, don't interpret, he says....'This is Zahid Hamid, okay?'

GEORGE TOWN: Home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had tough words for the mass media and journalists today, warning of swift action against those who resorted to “spinning” the news or spread lies.

However, it was not clear what he meant by “spinning” or what he would construe to be lies.

“Don’t expect me to just issue warning. Expect me to take action on you,” he told reporters at Bayan Baru Umno’s divisional meeting, in his first visit to Penang since being appointed deputy prime minister.

Speaking in English and Malay, he said journalists should adhere to journalism ethics.

“You must respect the ethics. You write based on facts. Don’t make interpretations and ever spin. Okay?” he said, in remarks quoted by Malaysian Insider.

“We will not compromise on spinning, not under my leadership. Do not expect me to give warnings. Expect me to take action,” he said.

“Umno and Barisan Nasional will never compromise with any spinning,” he said in English. He said he also had to speak in English because some journalists used English more than Malay and he wanted them to get his speech right, Malaysian Insider reported.

“I want them to report according to my speech. Don’t ever spin. I know who is spinning… there will be a high price to pay,” he said to applause from delegates.

“I am telling you this. Don’t expect me to warn you. Expect me to take action… This is Zahid Hamidi, okay?”

Ahmad Zahid’s home ministry regulates press licensing and has oversight over the press and other publications.

Last month the ministry suspended the publishing licences of The Edge business weekly and its companion Financial Daily for its extensive coverage of the financial investments and dealings by 1Malaysia Development Bhd, the government’s investment arm which is reported to have debts of RM42 billion.

The minister’s tough remarks are an echo of remarks he directed at Malaysiakini two years ago.

On his first day in office as home minister, Ahmad Zahid said at a media conference: “You (Malaysiakini) always spin. Please write according to journalistic ethics. What else does Malaysiakini want to ask? Please don’t spin. I will scrutinise every statement, every sentence, every paragraph of Malaysiakini’s news. Don’t play with fire with me.”

Ahmad Zahid was appointed deputy home minister on July 27, the day the suspensions of the Edge and Financial Daily began. He replaced Muhiddin Yassin, who was dropped apparently as a result of criticisms about 1MDB and the role of Najib Razak in the controversy.

In its final issue before complying with the three-month suspension, the Financial Daily published a four-page report which accused the flamboyant Penang-born businessman Jho Low of having colluded with executives of PetroSaudi International, a joint venture partner of 1MDB, to defraud the Malaysian taxpayer of US$1.8 billion between 2009 and 2011.

Jho Low, who is reported to have close relationships with the family of prime minister Najib Razak, is being sought by government investigators examining the affairs of 1MDB. Last month, the public accounts committee said his present whereabouts were not known and the committee had been unable to serve a summons for him to appear at a parliamentary hearing in August.