KOTA KINABALU, Sept 25 — A senior Umno minister today accused Singapore-based Channel News Asia (CNA) of airing what he described as a one-sided documentary on Malaysia that featured only members of the opposition and their supporters.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak claimed the programme “A Fractured Nation” that was aired last night had only taken tips from opposition sources, which he said led to a negative portrayal of Malaysia’s image.
“The report is clearly one-sided because it only highlights negative things about Malaysia, and CNA interviews only those who are members of the opposition.
“Channel News Asia’s report on Malaysia Day is unfair, biased and regrettable, and should be rectified,” he said in a press statement.
The federal minister told CNA that it should have taken into account the views of all parties before putting out the documentary.
He also insisted that the programme’s apparent portrayal of Malaysia as a country burdened by problems was “not all true”.
“This report clearly shows that they have a point of view or an angle to hurt our country,” said the Sabah Umno liaison deputy chairman in the statement.
The television documentary air last night featured interviews with three political observers who said playing up racial sentiments for political support will not work in a languishing economy, after the pro-government #Merah169 demonstration saw racist insults hurled at the Chinese.
The three people were – Dr Maszlee Malik, assistant professor at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, Dr Ooi Kee Beng, deputy director of the Singapore-based Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) Yusof Ishak Institute and Ibrahim Suffian from local independent pollster Merdeka Center.
Salleh also said today that the foreign media were determined to spoil the good name of Malaysia using reports that he claimed were based on dubious sources.
These reports, he said, are published even though the majority of Malaysians and the country’s leaders have expressed their full support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“They try to create the impression that the prime minister has made many mistakes and even took advantage of the situation — where our prime minister is now in New York by publishing news that could discredit Malaysia, particularly the prime minister in the international media,” he said.
Najib is currently in New York attending the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
He said that the negative reports were initiated not only by outsiders but also a certain group of people in the country.
