Journalists want Guan Eng to say sorry
Low Chia MingPublished: Sep 2, 2014 7:20 AM | Updated: Sep 2, 2014 4:18 PM
Two media groups - Penang Chinese Media Journalists and Photographers Association (Pewaju) and Penang Press Club - want Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to apologise for "misleading the public" over a reporter's attitude.
Two media groups - Penang Chinese Media Journalists and Photographers Association (Pewaju) and Penang Press Club - want Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to apologise for "misleading the public" over a reporter's attitude.
Penang Press Club president Teoh Boon Liang claimed Lim misled the public to believe that a Chinese press reporter had scolded state executive council member Phee Boon Poh (below) and had acted in a rude manner in a press conference.
In the press conference, Lim had reportedly accused certain Chinese media of not daring to confront Umno in the same manner – allegedly without concrete evidence - as they did Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
"He appears to have bad intention to tarnish the image of Chinese media," Teoh said at a press conference yesterday.
"While agreeing the reporter had acted in such a way without bad intention, both he and Phee should share the responsibility as both the reporter and Phee must learn a lesson from the episode.”
The apology demand, the second in the past weeks, comes after a colourful war of words between the group and Lim’s office, which saw press statements laden with Chinese proverbs flying between the two sides.
Foxes who revealed themselves
The chief minister’s office had in a press statement likened the journalists of being "foxes" who have "revealed themselves" while the journalists lamented being "used" by the CM.
The group had asked for an apology earlier after going through the audio recording of the incident which took place in Komtar last week, but Lim has refused to comply.
The DAP secretary-general was then referring to a press conference called by Phee to speak on the issue of the voluntary patrol unit (PPS).
At the press conference held last week, a senior reporter had insisted that Phee respond to speculation that PPS members were involved in secret societies.
According to those present at the press conference, the reporter appeared to have raised his voice and allegedly "acted impolitely".
Lim then accused the reporter of "bullying and scolding" Phee, who is also Sungai Puyu assemblyman.
However, Teoh said that as a public official, Phee should be open to being grilled.
"Such actions - where Phee did not provide concrete evidence and respond to open inquiry - were against Lim's government which often preached "Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) principles," Teoh added.
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Penang Press Club president Teoh Boon Liang claimed Lim misled the public to believe that a Chinese press reporter had scolded state executive council member Phee Boon Poh (below) and had acted in a rude manner in a press conference.
In the press conference, Lim had reportedly accused certain Chinese media of not daring to confront Umno in the same manner – allegedly without concrete evidence - as they did Pakatan Rakyat leaders."He appears to have bad intention to tarnish the image of Chinese media," Teoh said at a press conference yesterday.
"While agreeing the reporter had acted in such a way without bad intention, both he and Phee should share the responsibility as both the reporter and Phee must learn a lesson from the episode.”
The apology demand, the second in the past weeks, comes after a colourful war of words between the group and Lim’s office, which saw press statements laden with Chinese proverbs flying between the two sides.
Foxes who revealed themselves
The chief minister’s office had in a press statement likened the journalists of being "foxes" who have "revealed themselves" while the journalists lamented being "used" by the CM.
The group had asked for an apology earlier after going through the audio recording of the incident which took place in Komtar last week, but Lim has refused to comply.
The DAP secretary-general was then referring to a press conference called by Phee to speak on the issue of the voluntary patrol unit (PPS).At the press conference held last week, a senior reporter had insisted that Phee respond to speculation that PPS members were involved in secret societies.
According to those present at the press conference, the reporter appeared to have raised his voice and allegedly "acted impolitely".
Lim then accused the reporter of "bullying and scolding" Phee, who is also Sungai Puyu assemblyman.
However, Teoh said that as a public official, Phee should be open to being grilled.
"Such actions - where Phee did not provide concrete evidence and respond to open inquiry - were against Lim's government which often preached "Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) principles," Teoh added.
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