Having read reports that the govt instructed top govt-linked companies (GLC) to advertise more in 2 Malay language dailies Utusan and Berita Harian (BH), I feel compelled to write.
I am more than anxious to learn since when the govt through it's deputy finance minister Ahmad Maslan takes newspapers' business as govt business?
As deputy finance minister, why in the world must Ahmad Maslan be concerned about the survival of the above-said newspapers when at the same breath the home minister blocks a new comer from getting a printing permit?
Shouldn't Ahmad Maslan be more concerned about national debts and deficits? Why must GLCs be penalised when Utusan esp has been writing concocted trash about opposition parties and it's leaders?
On what ground/basis are GLCs obligated to Utusan and BH? Ahmad Maslan should have asked his good-self as to why Utusan and BH have difficulty to increase their circulation when there are other print medias still making a profit on their own. Is it not simply due to the questions of ethics, prudence, integrity
and propriety?
It is public knowledge that GLCs received funding from govt coffers and govt coffers are public funds (taxpayers money) thus, on what basis or authority Ahmad has in giving the instruction?
Penang state executive Councillor Dr Afif Bahardin was reported as saying, this shows a bluntness in their thinking capacity in administration and business strategy.
Meanwhile, an Umno?BN MP for Kepala Batas Reezal Merican Naina Merican says, "The advertising move is a two-pronged strategy- It allows GLCs to fulfill their public duty and upholds the constitution, which makes Bahasa Malaysia the national language to unite all people".
Just look at how an Umno leader tries to justify the move, at the same time insult the taxpayers' intelligence.
Is he implying or telling the taxpayers that Utusan cannot uphold the constitution and cannot make Bahasa Malaysia the national language without the GLCs?
Does it not occurs to him that with all their hate articles, slanders, lies, propaganda and irresponsible reports and demonising the non-Malays, how in the world could they possibly helping to unite the people?
I've said it many times to fellow friends, If I can't find the worth in Utusan (except possibly sports & the obituaries), give me a reason as to why I should fork my money to buy the papers?.
Just look at the numerous suits they lost in courts. Isn't that a testimony or their slanderous reports?
Whatever the motives may be, at least MCA has said sensible things pertaining to the above issue, but what about the remaining components of the BN?
These Umno leaders must have thought that they are free to say and do anything regardless of logic and intelligence.
Now, is there anything to wonder when corporations (GLCs) such as Malaysian Airlines System is bound to fail? When it's former partner Singapore Airline System (SIA) is doing well, MAS shares were at one time at its lowest of RM0.30 sen?
Another area to be taken into consideration, would GLCs' advertisement objectives be achieved when Utusan's circulation size is far than promising? Would the GLCs be able in reaching their targetted
audience? I don't have to earn a degree to consider that as being foolish.
MCA may have said something right on this issue, but they should have also raise and voice to their master their disagreement on whatever that is not right a long time ago.
What MCA has to say on the peculiar appointment of senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah to lead prosecution on Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy II?.
What MCA has to say when Attorney General (AG) is not filing appeal in the case involving former president Ling Liong Sik over the PKFZ scandal?.
Even Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin says, as a matter of public interest, Gani Patail must explain why he is not challenging the acquittal of Ling Liong Sik?.
The action by the AG resembles his non filing of appeal in the acquittal of PM Najib close ally Razak Baginda in the Altantuya Shariibuu murder case.
Back to Utusan, how pathetic it is that after five decades, they now need the support of the GLCs. If only they care to conduct a 'post-mortem', they would easily discover the real reasons behind their dwindling performance.
By norms, no one would simply advertise without a pre-determined objectives and surely, without first taking into account the media's popularity and it's circulation size. The question - Is Utusan popular even among the
Malays?
Interference by Umno in the management of companies particularly GLCs, actions and decisions such as the above could be the real cause to their non-performance with many are on the brink of bankcruptcy.
Can instruction for GLCs to advertise in the said newspapers be regarded or classified as an abuse of power? Is it appropriate for Umno leaders to conviniently use their positions to instruct publicly-owned entities to use taxpayers' money in an effort to salvage companies owned by their party?
Take note, other than a deputy finance minister, Ahmad Maslan is also the Chief Communication for Umno Malaysia.
My conclusion is pretty simple. until and unless Utusan observes ethics and uphold high standard of journalism, I personally don't see how they could become a popular mainstream media.
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