Editor's resignation sparks fear in KL press<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The resignation of the editor of a
\ntop Malaysian newspaper group has sent a chill through the local
\nmedia with speculation that more heads will roll as Prime
\nMinister Mahathir Mohamad shores up his power base.<\/p>\n
Politicians and media executives said yesterday that this
\nweek's surprise resignation of Johan Jaafar, group editor-in-
\nchief of Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd, had sparked worries of a
\ngovernment clampdown on "negative" reporting by the local media.<\/p>\n
Johan's resignation on Tuesday caused ripples among
\njournalists because local newspaper editors usually rise and fall
\non the government's nod.<\/p>\n
Rustam Sani, a noted social critic and a former professor at
\nNational University, said Johan had been perceived by some as
\ndemonstrating a pro-Anwar bias by highlighting the allegations of
\nnepotism and cronyism that had gripped last month's annual
\nconvention of the ruling United Malays National Organization.<\/p>\n
UMNO president Mahathir is widely expected to be challenged by
\nDeputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Utusan has been seen by
\nsome as being supportive of Anwar's aspirations.<\/p>\n
"Their line of reporting has always been favorable to Anwar,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
"It is not the first time," said Lim Kit Siang, the opposition
\nleader in Parliament.<\/p>\n
The chief editor of a powerful English daily was similarly
\nremoved in the mid-1980s, said Lim, leader of the Democratic
\nAction Party.<\/p>\n
"This does not bode well for the development of an articulate,
\nresponsible and vibrant press," he said.<\/p>\n
The daily has a circulation of about 250,000. On Sundays it
\nsells about half a million copies. The group is largely owned by
\nMahathir's UMNO party and the chief editor is often a political
\nappointee of the prime minister's.<\/p>\n
The Utusan media group controls several newspapers including
\nthe mass circulation Utusan Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Another opposition leader, Lim Guan Eng, said there was now
\nconfusion over the government's policy towards the media.<\/p>\n
"Will there be a change in policy? Whereas Malaysian press
\nshould be more transparent, accountable and more liberal, are
\nthey going to substitute this for a tightening of the screw?"
\nJohan announced his decision to a group of senior reporters and
\nsaid he had submitted his resignation letter to Mahathir.<\/p>\n
The national Bernama news agency quoted a senior Utusan
\nreporter as being told by Johan that it was better for him to
\nquit now "to prevent his presence from impeding the progress of
\nthe group's newspapers and publications".<\/p>\n
Malaysian newspapers have to get yearly publishing permits
\nfrom the Ministry of Home Affairs which is headed by Mahathir.
\nJohan was appointed to the influential post in 1992. Utusan's
\nformer editor-in-chief, Zainuddin Maidin, resigned after an
\napparent fallout with Mahathir.<\/p>\n
Johan's resignation came two weeks after Mahathir criticized
\nlocal media for "negative" and "sensational" reporting of
\nproblems at Kuala Lumpur's new airport which opened on June 30.<\/p>\n
Malaysian newspapers detailed problems at the new airport --
\nincluding flight delays, missing baggage and lost cargo -- for
\nfour days, before toning down their coverage.<\/p>\n
Other analysts said Johan's fall was linked to pre-election
\nmoves by Mahathir.<\/p>\n
Mahathir recently appointed his trusted lieutenant, Daim
\nZainuddin, as minister in charge of economic development, raising
\nspeculation that the prime minister was clipping the powers of
\nAnwar, who is also finance minister.<\/p>",
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