Deja vu as 3 newspapers receive show-cause letters

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Barely a day after the Cabinet order the lifting of a block on certain websites, theSun, Sin Chew Jit Poh and Suara Keadilan have been issued show-cause letters, reports Malaysiakini.

Just when you felt that they had done something right by lifting the block on websites, they now do this.

This kinda reminds me of Operasi Lalang  in 1987, when three newspapers were suspended. The papers then were of the same languages too – English, Chinese and Malay – namely, The Star, Sin Chew Jit Poh and Watan.

The difference now is that it is not suspensions but show-cause letters.

Says blog reader V:

Sending a “show cause” is fairer than suspension without reason or rhyme. At least there is a chance to explain and for the authorities to listen and reconsider. Unlike “muck-raker” Mahathir’s peremptory suspension without notice.

theSun may be outspoken but I see nothing seditious or provoking. If politicians – under the constant eye of the public and media -have done wrong and this news surfaces, the voting public has a right to know. We need this check on our individual elected representative – whether state or parliamentary.

Speaking of which, theSun had in recent days carried out some top-class investigative journalism showing how land meant for public use was grabbed by certain prominent individuals/politicians and certain BN component parties.

One newspaper editor told me that these show-cause letters will have the effect of making the editors concerned more “cautious” in their reporting. Obviously, that is the intended objective of issuing show-cause letters, in the first place.

Anyway, these letters add to the show-cause letter received by the Herald and the warning letter issued to Catholic Asian News.

Perhaps we should set up a Media Museum to display all these show-cause letters so that future generations will know what this BN government was up to.

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ht
ht
25 Nov 2008 5.06pm

AS usual,one could only expect that Nazri will not be held accountable for his comments.Protectisism (For UMNO) is ALL!

Fear does all sorts of things to people esecially those in UMNO.

Sadly, Malaysians cannot expect to “grow” (in all senses of the word) until there are policitically mature people at the helm. At present there are not and will not be under Najib…
BTW, where is Bala?

zztop
zztop
13 Sep 2008 12.49pm

The … who run this country has gone crazy … Three respectful people and MSMs were victimised. Worst than Zimbabwee. The innocent reporter who did her duty faithfully and fair was arrested instead of the racial idiot… who started all these racial remarks in the first place?? If not for him, the country will not like this. Then we have RPK and Teresa Kok our malaysian heros who sacrifice themselves by revealing the truth of these corrupted, racialistic … also got arrested. What are the so called rakyat representing component parties leaders doing??? Shame and disgrace on them for leading… Read more »

gregwar
gregwar
12 Sep 2008 5.30pm

While critics of 9/16 debate over the ethics of the take over, AAB and his cronies have begun to take evasive action. That is the main reason I join the many who are “willing” for the PR to form the new government by so called “unethical” means. If you continue wait for the UMNO/BN government to fall by any other means they will make sure of another opportunity will not come back again. We must learn from the lessons of history (remember 1969 and how the country was restructured so unfairly?) Quick and decisive action is needed to (defeat) the… Read more »

Anak Pulau Pinang
Anak Pulau Pinang
12 Sep 2008 4.37pm

One cheapskate spouts racist comments, **** up the PM and DPM and quite clearly stuck out his middle finger at the PM, DPM and the entire BN administration, gets a gently tap on his knuckles and continues talking tough. Add on the fact that he has openly incited racial troubles, threatened non Malays yet he is free to go about with his plans to do a “Road Show” to talk to UMNO ‘grass roots”. The other does his patriotic duty of exposing all that is wrong with the government, the corruption and the hanky panky that the Government from the… Read more »

roy
roy
12 Sep 2008 4.19pm

The lame government just gets lamer as the day goes by

romerz
12 Sep 2008 4.15pm
amoker
12 Sep 2008 3.14pm

Utusan Melayu for inflaming kelemahan melayu and tokmahan Khir Toyo? Double standard.

Syed Hamid, should resign.

true-leaders.com
12 Sep 2008 2.36pm

When Malaysia-Today was banned, the ministers all said it was a move by the MCMC and govt was not involved.
Today’s Star — PM Abdullah has spilled the beans that it was Syed Hamid who was behind the censorship of MT.

Ah Singh
Ah Singh
12 Sep 2008 2.33pm

I got a call at 12.30 from our former kakis at bukit aman that rpk was getting arrested under ISA. that police were already at rpk’s place charging him under isa. But rpk was cool lah. He made a few calls and accompanied the police.

Andrew
Andrew
12 Sep 2008 2.15pm

The top class investigative journalism carried out by the Sun… reminds me of the same carried out by the Star before it was unceremoniously shut down in 1987. I remember clear economic analysis being presented and the contributions of Tian Chua’s predecessor, Dr. Kua Kia Soong. Anyone know what’s happened to him?

Confused
Confused
12 Sep 2008 2.12pm

Cause UMNO no face adi .. so need to find a sand bag to punch ..
As long as BN still in control , ahmad will like free willy …

Racheljansz
Racheljansz
12 Sep 2008 2.06pm

And they went and arrest RPK under ISA
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/89544

Ah Singh
Ah Singh
12 Sep 2008 2.06pm

RPK arrested under ISA. mana boleh lah. this time things have gone too far. how can you let the ismail fellow walk free after calling chinese pendatang and yet they arrest prince rpk grandson of malaysia’s former agung!
this is malaysian justice lah!

Racheljansz
Racheljansz
12 Sep 2008 2.05pm

and the went and arrest him.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/89544

Calvin
Calvin
12 Sep 2008 2.01pm

I tend to agree with Nik Aziz who said that ‘had it not an Umno member/branch chief – the punishment handed down to that Mat would have been more severe – ISA perhaps.

What they are doing currently is more like – left hand gives the right hand take it back. Lifting ban on M2TODAY and then detained it editor the next day!

Yeah – you are right Anil – if we can’t have a physical museum keeping all those show cause letters – why not have virtual one! It’s better cause the whole world could see.

kksam
kksam
12 Sep 2008 1.20pm

All Sin Chew did was reporting what AHMAD ISMAIL said, and now the BN is going to punish the papers for reporting the truth. BN never learns, they still couldn’t accept the GE defeat, and still doing what they do best, harrassing the people

KongKor
KongKor
12 Sep 2008 1.05pm

I was wondering what the show cause letter is all about and also why was the Home Minister so quiet about the whole racist AhMad issue. Is the government, namely the Home Minister saying that it is alright for Umno members to incite racial slur, then, they can go about blaming it on others…and then the Home Minister support this racial slur by going after the media that reported the news? Please correct me if I am wrong but this is the message I am getting. I am lost here, can the Home Minister explain and clarify? And please, spare… Read more »

"V"
"V"
12 Sep 2008 1.04pm

Sending a “Show cause” is fairer than suspension without reason or rhyme. At least there is a chance to explain and for the authorities to listen and reconsider. Unlike “muck-raker” Mahathir’s peremptory suspension without notice. The Sun may be outspoken but I see nothing seditious or provoking. If politicians – under the constant eye of the public and media -have done wrong and this news surfaces, the voting public has a right to know. We need this check on our individual elected representative – whether State or Parliamentary. I do not read Chinese or Malay newspapers. What has the Sin… Read more »

anak perelih
12 Sep 2008 12.45pm

What about UTUSAN MELOYA??? Utusan had played racial issues more than others since May 08….!!!

patek1472
12 Sep 2008 12.41pm

A Malaysian Time Clock Slowly Clicking towards 16 September! ———————————————————— Tick, Tock! Tick, Tock! Tick Tock! Inbetween, spare parts and batteries still insufficient in case it stop. Some try to move it faster by 15 minutes, some by 30 minutes. Nobody thought of moving it backwards. I wonder Why? Most keep on looking at the clock on the desk to check the time. Some just make sure it is moving all the time. Some just keep on staring at the clock, not sure whether it is moving or stopped. Somebody propose the clock is not dependable. Must replace with another… Read more »