NUJ chief soldiers on at 'assignment'

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Hata Wahari soldiers on, despite being suspended by his employer Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd, by appearing at a public function to "work".

True to his word that he will still go for "assignments", he appeared at the launch of  the Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) at the Sime Darby Convention Centre this morning.

And despite the buzz over his presence (the organisers mentioned his name in their press statement), Hata (right) sat in a corner of the ballroom, together with journalists covering the event.

He was his usual jovial self as the reporters consoled him, some giving him a pat on the shoulder for his work with the union body.

“Work must still go on. A journalist never switches off from work,” he told Malaysiakini later.

Although this was his first “assignment” after being suspended last week, it will certainly not be the last for him.

“I can go for any assignment I want to now. I want to go for assignments to cover the prime minister. Why not? I will register myself as an Utusan reporter,” he said.

The practice in news organisations is for an editor to assign reporters to cover functions or press conferences. But in Hata’s case, he has taken it upon himself to “self-assign” functions to attend.

But on days when there are no assignments to look forward to, Hata will go back to sitting in front of the Utusan headquarters to man his own “office”.

Comprising a small plastic table, chair, tent, notebook computer, camera and a signboard that reads 'Journalist on duty', it has become his campsite to protest his indefinite suspension.

“The tent and the table are always in my car, so I can set up office whenever I want,” he quipped, adding that these belong to the NUJ-Utusan chapter.

Hata has been suspended pending the disposal of a domestic inquiry into his scathing comments against Utusan Malaysia.

The inquiry was postponed on Monday over a technical dispute.

The NUJ has denounced the inquiry, stating that the company has no right to act against Hata because his comments were made in his capacity as the union head.

NUJ-Utusan won’t picket

Hata said the Utusan chapter will not picket against the newspaper, citing four pending court cases involving the chapter.

The NUJ had filed several lawsuits against the company in previous years, among others on the collective agreement and the dispensing of bonus to the staff.

“So we shouldn’t picket. We don’t want to get into trouble for contempt of court. The government will hate me more after this,” said the journalist of 15 years.

Instead, he plans to hold an exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1961 workers’ picket “sometime after Chinese New Year”.

But despite all the troubles and run-ins with his employer, Hata’s heart is still very much in journalism.

“Journalism is in my heart. I will always be a journalist. But maybe, on the side, I may sell nasi lemak, or open up a cafe selling several dishes,” he said.

According to the NUJ constitution, one can remain an office-bearer of the union even if sacked by the employer.