'Superman' Ong unfazed by possible media reprisals
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: May 26, 2009 7:56 AM | Updated: May 26, 2009 8:42 AM
MCA president Ong Tee Keat said he had no regrets in lodging a police report against the Chinese magazine Special Weekly , even though it might spark a ‘war’ with the most dominant Chinese newspaper media group.
MCA president Ong Tee Keat said he had no regrets in lodging a police report against the Chinese magazine Special Weekly, even though it might spark a ‘war’ with the most dominant Chinese newspaper media group.
He said he was not afraid of possible news blackout by the Chinese mainstream media, adding that he would not compromise on the unhealthy reporting trend.
He also reiterated that press freedom does not include "fabricating news, doctoring picture, and obstructing other people’s freedom".
“Should I be afraid for my political career or my news being boycotted, and compromise with such a bad trend? Please tell me if the answer is yes,” he told reporters after chairing the MCA central committee meeting yesterday.
He was asked to comment if he was worried that his legal action against the Chinese magazine would affect his relationship with the media, in particular Special Weekly's owner, the powerful Sin Chew group.
Ong had lodged a police report against Special Weekly for criminal defamation last week.
The police report was against three articles published in the 417th issue of the magazine on March 2, which commented on the relationship between Ong and his deputy, Chua Soi Lek, the Perak political crisis and DAP-turned-independent Jelapang assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong.
It depicted Ong in a superman suit on its front cover.
Major Chinese papers following the issue
The transport minister has asked the police to investigate the magazine under section 8(A) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act and section 500 of the Penal Code, which is related to criminal defamation.
If found guilty under criminal defamation, an individual could be jailed up to two years.
Special Weekly is a tabloid-style Chinese magazine owned by Life Publishers Bhd, which is a subsidiary of media tycoon Tiong Hiew King's Media Chinese International Ltd.
Life Publishers Bhd was formerly under Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd, which was controlled by MCA through its investment arm.
However, it was subsequently sold to Tiong and merged with Tiong-controlled Sin Chew Media Corp Bhd and Ming Pao Newspapers Ltd to become Media Chinese International Ltd in 2007.
Most of the major Chinese dailies have been following the issue with some interviewing groups and individuals who have condemned Ong’s act.
Meanwhile, Sin Chew Daily has published a statement from PKR Kelana Jaya MP, Loh Gwo Burne, who said that the media is being threatened by "certain parties".
He said he was not afraid of possible news blackout by the Chinese mainstream media, adding that he would not compromise on the unhealthy reporting trend.He also reiterated that press freedom does not include "fabricating news, doctoring picture, and obstructing other people’s freedom".
“Should I be afraid for my political career or my news being boycotted, and compromise with such a bad trend? Please tell me if the answer is yes,” he told reporters after chairing the MCA central committee meeting yesterday.
He was asked to comment if he was worried that his legal action against the Chinese magazine would affect his relationship with the media, in particular Special Weekly's owner, the powerful Sin Chew group.
Ong had lodged a police report against Special Weekly for criminal defamation last week.
The police report was against three articles published in the 417th issue of the magazine on March 2, which commented on the relationship between Ong and his deputy, Chua Soi Lek, the Perak political crisis and DAP-turned-independent Jelapang assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong.
It depicted Ong in a superman suit on its front cover.
Major Chinese papers following the issue
The transport minister has asked the police to investigate the magazine under section 8(A) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act and section 500 of the Penal Code, which is related to criminal defamation.
If found guilty under criminal defamation, an individual could be jailed up to two years.
Special Weekly is a tabloid-style Chinese magazine owned by Life Publishers Bhd, which is a subsidiary of media tycoon Tiong Hiew King's Media Chinese International Ltd.
Life Publishers Bhd was formerly under Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd, which was controlled by MCA through its investment arm.
However, it was subsequently sold to Tiong and merged with Tiong-controlled Sin Chew Media Corp Bhd and Ming Pao Newspapers Ltd to become Media Chinese International Ltd in 2007.
Most of the major Chinese dailies have been following the issue with some interviewing groups and individuals who have condemned Ong’s act.
Meanwhile, Sin Chew Daily has published a statement from PKR Kelana Jaya MP, Loh Gwo Burne, who said that the media is being threatened by "certain parties".
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