Editor's resignation sparks fear in KL press

Editor's resignation sparks fear in KL press

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The resignation of the editor of a
top Malaysian newspaper group has sent a chill through the local
media with speculation that more heads will roll as Prime
Minister Mahathir Mohamad shores up his power base.

Politicians and media executives said yesterday that this
week's surprise resignation of Johan Jaafar, group editor-in-
chief of Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd, had sparked worries of a
government clampdown on "negative" reporting by the local media.

Johan's resignation on Tuesday caused ripples among
journalists because local newspaper editors usually rise and fall
on the government's nod.

Rustam Sani, a noted social critic and a former professor at
National University, said Johan had been perceived by some as
demonstrating a pro-Anwar bias by highlighting the allegations of
nepotism and cronyism that had gripped last month's annual
convention of the ruling United Malays National Organization.

UMNO president Mahathir is widely expected to be challenged by
Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Utusan has been seen by
some as being supportive of Anwar's aspirations.

"Their line of reporting has always been favorable to Anwar,"
he said.

"It is not the first time," said Lim Kit Siang, the opposition
leader in Parliament.

The chief editor of a powerful English daily was similarly
removed in the mid-1980s, said Lim, leader of the Democratic
Action Party.

"This does not bode well for the development of an articulate,
responsible and vibrant press," he said.

The daily has a circulation of about 250,000. On Sundays it
sells about half a million copies. The group is largely owned by
Mahathir's UMNO party and the chief editor is often a political
appointee of the prime minister's.

The Utusan media group controls several newspapers including
the mass circulation Utusan Malaysia.

Another opposition leader, Lim Guan Eng, said there was now
confusion over the government's policy towards the media.

"Will there be a change in policy? Whereas Malaysian press
should be more transparent, accountable and more liberal, are
they going to substitute this for a tightening of the screw?"
Johan announced his decision to a group of senior reporters and
said he had submitted his resignation letter to Mahathir.

The national Bernama news agency quoted a senior Utusan
reporter as being told by Johan that it was better for him to
quit now "to prevent his presence from impeding the progress of
the group's newspapers and publications".

Malaysian newspapers have to get yearly publishing permits
from the Ministry of Home Affairs which is headed by Mahathir.
Johan was appointed to the influential post in 1992. Utusan's
former editor-in-chief, Zainuddin Maidin, resigned after an
apparent fallout with Mahathir.

Johan's resignation came two weeks after Mahathir criticized
local media for "negative" and "sensational" reporting of
problems at Kuala Lumpur's new airport which opened on June 30.

Malaysian newspapers detailed problems at the new airport --
including flight delays, missing baggage and lost cargo -- for
four days, before toning down their coverage.

Other analysts said Johan's fall was linked to pre-election
moves by Mahathir.

Mahathir recently appointed his trusted lieutenant, Daim
Zainuddin, as minister in charge of economic development, raising
speculation that the prime minister was clipping the powers of
Anwar, who is also finance minister.