Why the Malaysian media clamor over Tekong?
Why the Malaysian media clamor over Tekong?
Lee Kim Chew , The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore
The Malay evening news on Malaysia's widely-watched TV1 on April 8 aired a report on Pulau Tekong's land reclamation with ominous overtones.
The project was "testing the spirit of friendship between Malaysia and Singapore", the presenter said.
"What is evident is that Singapore's move, described as not respecting its neighbor, has created a feeling of uneasiness on the part of the Malaysian government and its people."
TV1 reporter Zulkifli Bujang chipped in: "Although there is a feeling of family ties between the people of the two countries, the people of Johor are especially beginning to be fed up with the attitude of Singapore, which frequently creates problems in neighborly ties.
Zulkifli concluded: "However, some said that Singapore should be taught a lesson for its arrogance, because every time a conflict occurs, Malaysia becomes the victim and is forced to give way."
The report encapsulated the essence of the Malaysian press in recent weeks, with what can be only described as a news assault on the public, in print and on air, about the adverse effects of Pulau Tekong's reclamation.
Malaysians were told in no uncertain terms that it would be a shipping hazard, pollute the waters, deprive fishermen of their livelihood, and cause flooding and ecological damage in Johor.
What discomfited Singapore leaders was the torrent of slanted and inaccurate reports which left no one in any doubt that the Republic was undermining Johor's development.
This newspaper published on March 30 a report with graphics which explained why the reclamation will not affect the shipping lanes, narrow the channel, change the boundary or affect the water quality in the Johor Strait.
The report, written after extensive checks with government agencies such as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and shipping sources, was by far the most detailed, and it showed that Malaysia's fears were unfounded.
But not a word of this report appeared in the Malaysian press. Datuk Zainuddin Mydin, parliamentary secretary in Malaysia's Information Ministry, said Malaysian newspapers sometimes disregard a report that reflected Singapore's views.
Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee, editor of Malaysia's Berita Harian, said his newspaper did not carry the Singapore maritime authority's explanation because he was unaware of it.
Why the sudden clamor over Pulau Tekong's reclamation when the project had been going on for several years now?
The most plausible cause is Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's unhappiness over the price of raw water that Malaysia sells to the Republic under the existing agreements. Negotiations over the price are still in progress.
Reacting to criticism by Singapore law-makers, New Straits Times (NST) writer Rozi Ali wrote: "In trying to digest Singapore's assaults on the Malaysian media, the pertinent questions are: Did the media pander to the prejudices of its readers and create a hype of its own? And did the media coverage imperil ties?"
Going by the reactions of the Malaysian public, it certainly did. Like when it aroused anti-Singapore sentiments by failing to publish Singapore's side of the story. Or when it misreported that Singapore is profiteering from the sale of water it gets from Johor.
Has Malaysia's media done a disservice to Malaysians with one- sided, inaccurate reporting?
Not the first time last month, the Singapore government wrote to NST to rebut allegations in an article it published that Malay Singaporeans were an underclass. The newspaper omitted a crucial paragraph when it published the letter.
By doing this, the Singapore government said NST changed the thrust of its response and withheld information from readers about the progress made by Malay Singaporeans.
Pulau Tekong's reclamation is not the only instance of biased reporting in the Malaysian media. Another notable case was its coverage of the dispute over the location of Malaysia's customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint some years ago.
Malaysian news reports at that time omitted critical facts -- that Malaysia was given ample time to move its CIQ out of Tanjong Pagar but Kuala Lumpur refused to budge, and that the dispute arose because Dr Mahathir wanted to alter the Points of Agreement on the use of Malayan Railway land in Singapore.
As a result, Malaysians were left with the wrong impression that Singapore was unreasonable and recalcitrant.
This is not only dangerous but also a "lose-lose" proposition.
It will force both sides to dig in and fortify their positions. This makes it even harder to resolve the outstanding issues.