SUBANG JAYA, Aug 2 — DAP’s Lim Guan Eng today accused an Umno deputy minister of inciting racial tension when he reportedly said he would order the closure of at least two Chinese newspapers if he were in the Home Ministry.
The DAP secretary-general also suggested double standards in the deputy minister’s remarks, pointing out that no one else in the administration have ever suggested to shut down Umno-linked publications that publish racially insensitive articles.
“His remark is irresponsible. If he wants to close down Chinese papers for strong racial reporting, perhaps he should do the same with Umno papers as well,” the Penang chief minister said.
“Umno papers are even worse… this is double standard.”
According to Sin Chew Daily yesterday, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said if he were in the Home Ministry, he would close down two to three Chinese publications for allegedly reporting news with strong racial undertones.
Umno-owned newspaper, Utusan Malaysia, has been repeatedly criticised for publishing allegedly racially-tinged articles.
In 2013, MCA slammed the paper's editorial column Awang Selamat for saying that a Chinese food hub in Bukit Bintang area would only benefit the Chinese themselves.
The newspaper once also attacked Chinese voters, saying that they have never supported the Barisan Nasional government and that giving them “the moon and the stars” would not garner further appreciation.
It also courted controversy when it published the headline “Apa lagi Cina mau” shortly after Election 2013 when Barisan Nasional recorded heavy losses among Chinese voters.
