No ban on Msiakini, says Pak Lah
Zakiah Koya and Ajinder KaurPublished: Mar 2, 2001 1:57 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said there was no ban imposed on malaysiakini from covering government functions although the independent news portal journalists were earlier barred from attending an event which he officiated.
When asked by malaysiakini whether there was a ban imposed on the news website's journalists, he answered, "No, there is no ban."
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said there was no ban imposed on malaysiakini from covering government functions although the independent news portal journalists were earlier barred from attending an event which he officiated.
When asked by malaysiakini whether there was a ban imposed on the news website's journalists, he answered, "No, there is no ban."
The deputy prime minister had earlier launched a quiz and essay writing competition in conjunction with the Malaysia Unit Trust Week 2001 organised by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) at the Equatorial Hotel, Bangi which malaysiakini reporters were barred from entering.
PNB's corporate communications officer Saiful Nizan had told them that there was "a directive from the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) that malaysiakini is not to be allowed in."
When pressed further, Saiful said that it was the press secretary to the Home Affairs Minister, Rohaizad Abdul Rahim, who had told him about the "directive" from the JPM
When Rohaizad was asked by malaysiakini for clarification on the matter, he said it is his "prerogative as the press secretary".
"The rule is accredited media and today is for accredited media only," added Rohaizad, who explained that media can check with press secretaries on whether they are accredited or not.
Unruly
On how news websites can be accredited when they are not officially recognised as a "publication" by the Information Ministry who issues the accreditation, Rohaizad said, "This is at my discretion. This is my prerogative. This is up to me - the officer in charge. I can bar anyone from entering the media conference."
Rohaizad then said there was no basis whatsoever for barring malaysiakini from the function today and that he would bar malaysiakini "as and when necessary".
When asked who had given him the authority to decide which media should be allowed to cover the DPM's functions, Rohaizad repeated "that is my prerogative".
He clarified that it was not the DPM barring malaysiakini but only him as the press secretary and that malaysiakini could approach the DPM after the function.
Later, attempts by malaysiakini reporters to approach the DPM turned unruly when bodyguards attempted to push them out of the way.
Abdullah, however, noticed the commotion and turned back to allow one question. Despite this, the bodyguards kept pushing the reporter away. The reporter then asked Abdullah whether malaysiakini was banned, to which he answered "no".
When asked by malaysiakini whether there was a ban imposed on the news website's journalists, he answered, "No, there is no ban."
The deputy prime minister had earlier launched a quiz and essay writing competition in conjunction with the Malaysia Unit Trust Week 2001 organised by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) at the Equatorial Hotel, Bangi which malaysiakini reporters were barred from entering.
PNB's corporate communications officer Saiful Nizan had told them that there was "a directive from the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) that malaysiakini is not to be allowed in."
When pressed further, Saiful said that it was the press secretary to the Home Affairs Minister, Rohaizad Abdul Rahim, who had told him about the "directive" from the JPM
When Rohaizad was asked by malaysiakini for clarification on the matter, he said it is his "prerogative as the press secretary".
"The rule is accredited media and today is for accredited media only," added Rohaizad, who explained that media can check with press secretaries on whether they are accredited or not.
Unruly
On how news websites can be accredited when they are not officially recognised as a "publication" by the Information Ministry who issues the accreditation, Rohaizad said, "This is at my discretion. This is my prerogative. This is up to me - the officer in charge. I can bar anyone from entering the media conference."
Rohaizad then said there was no basis whatsoever for barring malaysiakini from the function today and that he would bar malaysiakini "as and when necessary".
When asked who had given him the authority to decide which media should be allowed to cover the DPM's functions, Rohaizad repeated "that is my prerogative".
He clarified that it was not the DPM barring malaysiakini but only him as the press secretary and that malaysiakini could approach the DPM after the function.
Later, attempts by malaysiakini reporters to approach the DPM turned unruly when bodyguards attempted to push them out of the way.
Abdullah, however, noticed the commotion and turned back to allow one question. Despite this, the bodyguards kept pushing the reporter away. The reporter then asked Abdullah whether malaysiakini was banned, to which he answered "no".
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