Utusan vs Hata: Domestic inquiry postponed
Senior journalist Hata Wahari's fate continues to hang in the balance as his employer Utusan Malaysia’s first domestic inquiry into his case was called off this morning on technical grounds.
Senior journalist Hata Wahari's fate continues to hang in the balance as his employer Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd’s first domestic inquiry into his case was called off this morning on technical grounds.
The National Union of Journalist (NUJ) president (in blue shirt) was hauled up on charges of going against the company's interest in his very vocal outbursts and criticism of the company.
Walking into the Utusan training centre where the domestic inquiry was held at 10.30am, Hata was flanked by NUJ general secretary V Anbalagan (extreme right in photo) and representatives of Utusan's NUJ chapter.
However, he spent less than 20 minutes at the proceedings before chairperson Mohd Basir Abdul Rahim called off the hearing pending decisions on Anbalagan's suitability to represent Hata.
“We don't know how long it (the postponement) will be, but we will be informed later," Hata told a press conference afterwards.
Anbalagan said he believes Basir did not follow proper procedure.
"I believe he is biased and is against me representing Hata and aims to find Hata guilty and recommend the most severe punishment," said Anbalagan.
He added that there is nothing in Utusan's collective agreement to prevent a union representative or a person who is not a Utusan employee from representing the accused.
Anbalagan likened the chairperson's actions in handling the inquiry to that of a "kangaroo court".
Suspension in effect
Hata also questioned the impartiality and fairness of the hearing.
"Where is the justice? It doesn't seem if they want justice. It’s like they want to take action against a union head," said Hata.
Hata has been suspended from his duties effective 10am today. He has been ordered to stay away from the Utusan office and also not to leave his neighbourhood.
It remains unclear if he is suspended with or without pay.
Hata is looking to challenge the legality of Utusan's order for him to remain within his neighbourhood.
"This (order) is strange. I am going to ask the NUJ lawyer and see if we can challenge this," he said.
Restrictive residence or house arrest is typically a police power and not normally accorded to employers to wield over their employees.
In a show of support, several off-duty journalists and representatives of the NUJ and the Centre for Independent Journalism showed up at the premises with hand-written placards reading 'Bebaskan Akhbar' and 'Press Freedom'.
