Syed Hamid: Utusan 'given warning'

Utusan Malaysia

MCPX

has been “given warning” by the government over some of the controversial articles which the Umno-owned newspaper has published, revealed Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

However, he did not elaborate on the issue after being asked to comment why action was taken against some newspapers and not Utusan.

The Malay daily has come under severe criticism for publishing a short story on the assassination of a politician modelled on opposition parliamentarian Teresa Kok.

The minister also said that the police are investigating Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail for sedition and action could be taken against him soon.

Again, Syed Hamid did not divulge more details on the probe against his party colleague in Penang, stating that he would rather let the police do their job.

The minister nevertheless defended the police’s handling of the controversy which was sparked off by the allegedly racial remarks made by Ahmad against the Chinese community during the Permatang Pauh by-election in August.

After a public outcry, Ahmad was suspended for three years by Umno in September.

“The party has taken action against Ahmad Ismail and now he is being investigated under the Sedition Act,” said Syed Hamid in an hour-long exclusive interview with Malaysiakini at his ministry in Putrajaya on Tuesday.

He was responding to questions as to why no action had been taken against Ahmad while Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested under the Internal Security Act for reporting Ahmad’s alleged racial remarks.

“Don’t ask why this person is not arrested and why that person is. That sort of thing, the police has got their own reasons...,” said Syed Hamid tersely.

Tan was arrested on Sept 12 and was released less than 24 hours later.

At that time, Syed Hamid had said that Tan was arrested for her own safety and to maintain public order.

For her own protection?

However, it was his “for her protection’ remark which bemused many observers. When asked about this, Syed Hamid blamed the media for highlighting the matter.

“I think I would laugh at it, but I will tell you that it was not the core and fundamental reason (for her arrest).

“That was the reason that was highlighted by the media. If you listen to what I said – there is a threat and the police perception of this threat to public order, to security. That is the reason this person was (arrested under ISA).

“Maybe they want to bring her in to ensure that nothing happens to her. I mean this is not the (only) reason – surely you are matured enough to know that this is not the reason.

“A person like me would not use an irrational thing (like this) but I was hit very badly on this thing to say that ‘Oh, it is for her protection’ when it was never the core or the fundamental issue of her arrest,” he virulently defended himself.

Syed Hamid reiterated that Tan’s arrest was to maintain public order and security.

“Things were getting very tense, everybody was talking about it and it was becoming highly politicised, and the polemic was not productive and it was not contributing (to the situation),” he said.

Syed Hamid ended the interview by appealing to Malaysians to try to understand his difficult role as home minister.

“I am subjected to criticism, I do not need sympathy. I need a lot of understanding from people, that’s all,” he said.