SEAPA Statement on the Forced Resignation of The Sun newspaper’s editors and journalists

Issued on January 22,2002

To the Management of the Sun and Office of Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (Seapa) strongly condemns recent actions of the management of the Malaysian newspaper, The Sun, whose editor-in-chief and editor were forced to resign on 27 December 2001 for publishing a front-page story on the police foiling a plot to kill Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad and his deputy.

We oppose the decision of the newspaper's management to suspend the managing editor, chief news editor and the two journalists who wrote the report. We have also learned that as of mid-January 2002, the newspaper has terminated 41 journalists as part of a "retrenchment" exercise that appears to be part of a union-busting scheme.

All these actions appear to be prompted by Prime Minister Mahathir's concern that the article on the assassination plot would have a negative impact on Malaysia's image overseas. Such reaction is not warranted, given that the facts of the story have not been disputed and neither the Prime Minister nor his deputy have denied the existence of the plot. Moreover, the journalists who wrote the story verified it from authoritative and official sources.

We believe that the Prime Minister's statements have created a chill in the media, which is held in thrall because of the Printing Presses and Publications Act. The Act, which provides that press licenses may be withdrawn any time by the Home Minister, hangs threateningly over the Malaysian media. As an organization of Southeast Asian journalists dedicated to the promotion of press freedom, we call for a repeal of this Act, which severely curtails the right of the media to report freely and accurately.

We denounce the management of The Sun, which has shown little regard for
editorial autonomy and media freedom. We ask that the suspensions of
journalists be rescinded and that the two reporters who wrote the story be
reinstated without penalty. We further urge the new management of The Sun to
retain an editorial policy that shows respect for the public's right to know
and the journalists' responsibility to report the truth.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Yours,

Chavarong Limpattamapanee
Acting Chairman