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Hishamuddin punishment of China Press shameful

Home Minister Hishamuddin vents anger at China Press for prempting him in announcing news of termination of the services of IGP. The China Press did what a newspaper does, print news as they come in. They had information that the IGP was being terminated and they duly reported it – ahead of all the other newpapers including the Utusan and Straits Times.

Immediately, the home minister promised to take action against the China Press threatening punishment. Unfortunatelyfor him, the news by China Press was true news and not false news. The next day, the Home Minister was compelled to announce that the services of the IGP was to be terminated and that he would serve as IGP up to the end of the year.

Despite the fact that China Press reported true news, the Home Minister continued to hound them, until China Press took action against its staff. So China Press was forced to take action ‘internally’ to save face for the Home Minister.

The management imposed a two week suspension of its Chief Editor. This is a ridiculous turn of events. The editor did his duty to report true news, and was punished by a two week suspension. When in fact, the Home Minister should be apologising to China Press for reporting that the IGP would be stopping work. This proved to be true because the Home Minister later announced himself that the IGP would cease work in September later this year. The Home Minister should apologise to China Press as an injustice has been committed.

Dr Chen Man Hin, DAP Life Advisor
19/03/10

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