Press freedom and democracy
Sir MoosePublished: Feb 2, 2001 6:47 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
In his biased letter, Ahmad Syafiq ([#1]Dr M's still the best[/#], Jan 31) insinuated that there is something sinister in the relationship between Anwar Ibrahim and his family and ousted Philippines President Joseph Estrada, daring malaysiakini to publish the relationship.
I believe that if the writer took the initiative to write a well-substantiated article on the so-called relationship, malaysiakini, being the open, liberal and fair news provider that it is, will publish that article. The government-controlled mainstream media, on the other hand, do not have the guts to print reports of unhealthy goings-on in the administration despite black-and-white proof that Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor is willing to provide.
The writer is also under the false impression that Malaysia practises press freedom because online newspapers which, he claims, glorify the opposition, are allowed to go on. But what choice does the government have, given its promise of non-interference in the Internet as a means of convincing reluctant investors that the Multimedia Super Corridor will be free of censorship and other restrictions.
Does the writer not remember what has happened to publications like Detik and Eksklusif? And the warnings given by the authorities to the Chinese newspapers for highlighting "sensitive" issues?
However, I do agree that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has done some great things since he came into power. But I must say that it is a delusion on the writer's part if he truly believes that the majority wanted Mahathir to continue ruling this beloved country of ours. Technically, yes, Barisan Nasional did win because more than 600,000 voters were undemocratically denied their voting rights.
But of those who voted for BN, many were deceived by BN's acceptance of all of Suqiu's appeals, which was done only to appease the voters, as admitted by Mahathir himself. Even among Umno members who did vote for BN (some did otherwise), many believed in Umno's struggle but not in Mahathir's leadership, as demonstrated by the actions of the delegates to the Umno extraordinary general meeting last year.
As for the writer's opinion on jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's guilt and so on, I believe he knows what others have to say on the circumstances, not just we Malaysians, but the whole world too.
I believe that if the writer took the initiative to write a well-substantiated article on the so-called relationship, malaysiakini, being the open, liberal and fair news provider that it is, will publish that article. The government-controlled mainstream media, on the other hand, do not have the guts to print reports of unhealthy goings-on in the administration despite black-and-white proof that Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor is willing to provide.
The writer is also under the false impression that Malaysia practises press freedom because online newspapers which, he claims, glorify the opposition, are allowed to go on. But what choice does the government have, given its promise of non-interference in the Internet as a means of convincing reluctant investors that the Multimedia Super Corridor will be free of censorship and other restrictions.
Does the writer not remember what has happened to publications like Detik and Eksklusif? And the warnings given by the authorities to the Chinese newspapers for highlighting "sensitive" issues?
However, I do agree that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has done some great things since he came into power. But I must say that it is a delusion on the writer's part if he truly believes that the majority wanted Mahathir to continue ruling this beloved country of ours. Technically, yes, Barisan Nasional did win because more than 600,000 voters were undemocratically denied their voting rights.
But of those who voted for BN, many were deceived by BN's acceptance of all of Suqiu's appeals, which was done only to appease the voters, as admitted by Mahathir himself. Even among Umno members who did vote for BN (some did otherwise), many believed in Umno's struggle but not in Mahathir's leadership, as demonstrated by the actions of the delegates to the Umno extraordinary general meeting last year.
As for the writer's opinion on jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's guilt and so on, I believe he knows what others have to say on the circumstances, not just we Malaysians, but the whole world too.
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