NUJ disappointed over Guan Eng's Utusan remark

The National Union of Journalists of Peninsular Malaysia (NUJ) has expressed their disappointment over the statement made by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who accused Malay daily Utusan Malaysia as being racist and extremist.

In a statement issued today, the NUJ said the statement made by the Penang Chief Minister was unfounded and unfair.

"The accusations given by Lim after being asked to comment on an article published by Mingguan Malaysia under the weekly column 'Analisis Mingguan, Bisik-Bisik Awang Selamat' titled 'DAP dan Rayer' are outrageous and unfair,

"Just because of a criticism published in the column slamming Seri Delima assemblyman, R.S.N. Rayer for swearing, Lim decided to express derogatory remarks about the newspaper which was established to uphold the country's constitution.

"Do not consider the whole newspaper as dirty just because of one black dot on a white piece of paper," the statement said.

NUJ also wanted Lim and other Opposition leaders to stop politicising Utusan and other mainstream newspapers to gain popularity.

"NUJ also hope that all Opposition leaders do not politicise and blame mainstream newspapers 100 percent and question the influence of its contest which has helped in the development of this country even before the country's independence," the statement added.

The union also considered the writing on 'Bisik-bisik Awang Selamat' as a way to criticise the elected representative (Rayer) for his action.

"As a leader, he (Rayer) must always remain open to accepting criticisms and not to be unfazed too quickly," added the statement.

Last Sunday, Awang Selamat which is a pseudonym used to represent the UMNO-backed paper's collective editorial voice, had said DAP was the most racist party in Malaysia with leaders who insulted religion and race.

The column also said Rayer's use of "UMNO celaka" (UMNO be damned) during a state assembly sitting on May 20 was unacceptable and advised the assemblyman to seek treatment for his "foul mouthed" condition.

In response, Rayer had reportedly said that Utusan is 'like toilet paper' and not worth reading.

Later that Sunday, after voting at the Chung Hwa Confucion school during the Bukit Gelugor by-election, Lim had told reporters that Utusan Malaysia is a paper 'meant for racists and extremists' and considered it as a 'Nazi-type of newspaper'.