Utusan Malaysia, known for its radical Malay nationalist sentiments, recently published two commentaries that sparked off a war of words between itself and Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily.
The commentaries published last Saturday and on Monday under the headlines: 'Chinese Newspapers' Propaganda' (Propaganda akhbar Cina) and 'Must Study Chinese' (Mesti Kaji Cina), has riled the highest-circulated Chinese daily.
The first, by Mohd Khuzairi Ismail, criticised views expressed by the Chinese daily on three issues it published from June 8-13.
The issues were on Chinese education, an online survey in MCA president Ong Tee Keat's blog and, the PAS-Umno unity government talks.
Khuzairi said the articles were narrow in its scope, and that it catered to the interests of certain groups.
He summarised that Chinese dailies was unhappy with the national education system which is said to discriminate against Chinese vernacular schools.
He also said Chinese dailies were fond of comparing the system with pro-Chinese school policies implemented by Pakatan Rakyat state governments.
"Apparently the opposition government gives assistance to Chinese schools and the Chinese community believes the education act will be amended if they support opposition," said Khuzairi.
Malays urged to publish a Chinese daily
The second piece was authored by a Petronas Technology University professor A Murad Merican, who reminded Chinese dailies to be grateful to the government for not obstructing their development in Malaysia.
The writer, who claimed to be a former journalist, said he found that Chinese newspapers and their journalists "strayed from the national agenda...exist in their own world... and refused to be part of the Malaysian journalistic fraternity".
He then went on and urged Malay media owners and journalists to publish Chinese newspapers.
"What's important is that Malays also have the right to determine the direction of Chinese journalism," said the writer.
Utusan the worst example of racist journalism
Annoyed, Sin Chew Daily shot back through two of its editors on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Executive editor Lim Mum Fah said Utusan Malaysia has never contributed to the harmony and unity of different races. Instead, it showed the worst example by playing race politics.
"Yes, it led by example, but it was the worst kind of example! And the government has not taken action against the newspaper," said Lim.
The next day, the baton was passed to deputy editor-in-chief Tay Tian Yan who wrote a piece sarcastically headlined: Malay Group Publishes Chinese Newspaper, Bravo!
"Maybe this would meet the hopes of some Malay friends and they'll be able to correct the ‘narrow and wrong perception' of the Chinese community."
"Besides, this meets the aspiration of some patriotic nationalists that Malay newspapers should take responsibility for the direction of Chinese newspapers."
He then questioned the rationale of Utusan Malaysia's articles: "I'm confused. How come the narrow-minded Chinese dailies publish more news and opinions on PAS and PKR compared to Malay dailies?
"Why is there more news coverage on Umno in Chinese papers than in Malay dailies?
"Why Chinese dailies with the ‘wrong perception' reported so many irregularities, injustices and carried out so many cultural and charitable activities?"
'Chinese issues column' in Utusan
In another related development, Utusan Malaysia has started a sporadic column titled Issues in Chinese newspapers (Isu-isu Akhbar Cina) that summarises reports and opinions published in Chinese dailies.
A search in Utusan online archives showed it had published four pieces under the column since January this year. It has several issues reported by Chinese dailies without adding any commentary.
Malaysiakini
26/06/09
The commentaries published last Saturday and on Monday under the headlines: 'Chinese Newspapers' Propaganda' (Propaganda akhbar Cina) and 'Must Study Chinese' (Mesti Kaji Cina), has riled the highest-circulated Chinese daily.
The first, by Mohd Khuzairi Ismail, criticised views expressed by the Chinese daily on three issues it published from June 8-13.
The issues were on Chinese education, an online survey in MCA president Ong Tee Keat's blog and, the PAS-Umno unity government talks.
Khuzairi said the articles were narrow in its scope, and that it catered to the interests of certain groups.
He summarised that Chinese dailies was unhappy with the national education system which is said to discriminate against Chinese vernacular schools.
He also said Chinese dailies were fond of comparing the system with pro-Chinese school policies implemented by Pakatan Rakyat state governments.
"Apparently the opposition government gives assistance to Chinese schools and the Chinese community believes the education act will be amended if they support opposition," said Khuzairi.
Malays urged to publish a Chinese daily
The second piece was authored by a Petronas Technology University professor A Murad Merican, who reminded Chinese dailies to be grateful to the government for not obstructing their development in Malaysia.
The writer, who claimed to be a former journalist, said he found that Chinese newspapers and their journalists "strayed from the national agenda...exist in their own world... and refused to be part of the Malaysian journalistic fraternity".
He then went on and urged Malay media owners and journalists to publish Chinese newspapers.
"What's important is that Malays also have the right to determine the direction of Chinese journalism," said the writer.
Utusan the worst example of racist journalism
Annoyed, Sin Chew Daily shot back through two of its editors on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Executive editor Lim Mum Fah said Utusan Malaysia has never contributed to the harmony and unity of different races. Instead, it showed the worst example by playing race politics.
"Yes, it led by example, but it was the worst kind of example! And the government has not taken action against the newspaper," said Lim.
The next day, the baton was passed to deputy editor-in-chief Tay Tian Yan who wrote a piece sarcastically headlined: Malay Group Publishes Chinese Newspaper, Bravo!
"Maybe this would meet the hopes of some Malay friends and they'll be able to correct the ‘narrow and wrong perception' of the Chinese community."
"Besides, this meets the aspiration of some patriotic nationalists that Malay newspapers should take responsibility for the direction of Chinese newspapers."
He then questioned the rationale of Utusan Malaysia's articles: "I'm confused. How come the narrow-minded Chinese dailies publish more news and opinions on PAS and PKR compared to Malay dailies?
"Why is there more news coverage on Umno in Chinese papers than in Malay dailies?
"Why Chinese dailies with the ‘wrong perception' reported so many irregularities, injustices and carried out so many cultural and charitable activities?"
'Chinese issues column' in Utusan
In another related development, Utusan Malaysia has started a sporadic column titled Issues in Chinese newspapers (Isu-isu Akhbar Cina) that summarises reports and opinions published in Chinese dailies.
A search in Utusan online archives showed it had published four pieces under the column since January this year. It has several issues reported by Chinese dailies without adding any commentary.
Malaysiakini
26/06/09
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