Kudos to NST - The Star: Eat, Drink&Be Merry!

DESIDERATA was not going to make any resolutions for 2006 ...until yesterday when the following caught my attention, and IMHO, one was POSITIVE, from THE NST, and another, NEGATIVE, in THE STAR. Bear with me.
The bad first:


Top on Wong Sulong's wish list...
The Star (December 29, Page 4):


No resolutions from me but here are seven changes I would like to see happening in Malaysia in 2006.

1. Let’s be kinder to each other

The past year has seen an escalation of nastiness in the public arena. By word of mouth, poison-pen letters, SMS, through the Internet and the media, Malaysians seem to be more vicious in maligning those they envy or dislike for reasons best known to them. No one – high or low – is spared. Yes, we may not win many gold medals in international sports but Malaysians win hands down when it comes to spreading rumours, lies and distortions. This has become a national blood sport. It seems that there are many Malaysians who are envious of those who are rich and successful, and love to see such people being dragged down.

Fellow blogger screenshots'JEFF OOI extracted the first "change" that the Star GEIC wanted to see next year, adding:

"He mentions Internet, envy, "lies and distortion", "the rich and successful"... I'm scratching my head to find his context. This or that?

When newsmen become news, that's quite news-worthy. Who says perpetuating lies and distortion are the monopoly of one medium?"

The GOODER, from THE NST frontpage,and because it's GOOD VIBRATIONS, Desi is inclined to reproduce in full:
December 29, 2005

LEST THEY FORGET...
Some hot cases gone cold


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In just two days, another year will have passed. For many Malaysians, it will be a time to make new resolutions and reflect on promises made and broken. For several government agencies, it may be a good time to re-visit some cases, which have not been solved.

A painfully slow probe

THREE years ago, a senior Malaysia Airlines official lodged a police report alleging wrong-doings by former top executives of the national carrier.

At the heart of the report was dealings between the company and German company Advanced Cargo Logistics Gmbh (ACL).

ACL and MAS had agreed to develop a European cargo hub at a former military airbase in Hahn.

Hahn and another cargo hub in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, were to be part of MAS’ "Cargo Spine Network".

There has been glacial progress on the case for the past three years. Earlier this year, a director of the airline lodged another report with the commercial crimes division at federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman. In it, he implicated several former executives and alleged offences related to non-disclosure of interests and other breaches of the Companies Act.

In particular, the police report focuses on the need for a company director to state his interests, whether directly or indirectly, in a contract or proposed contract with the company at a board meeting at the earliest possible time.

Now that the spotlight is on MAS and Malaysians are demanding to know how a world-class airline hit the skids so abruptly, perhaps it is time for the police to burn the midnight oil on this case.

Arson probe that has gone on and on...

FROM the day it happened in March, the fire at the storage room of the Department of Environment office in Johor Baru carried the stench of arson.

Ninety per cent of the records kept, including files on high-profile investigations, were destroyed in the March 24 incident. Among them were those concerning the illegal importation of toxic waste from Taiwan last year.

In June, the Fire and Rescue Department confirmed arson as the cause of the fire .

More recently, Johor CID chief Senior Assistant Commissioner (II) Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said that senior DOE officers may have masterminded the fire.

But till today, no one has been charged in court.

Mayor needs to clear his name

ONE of the most intriguing cases of 2005 involved Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ruslin Hassan. A book implicated him in corruption and sex scandals.

Later it transpired that two senior City Hall officials were behind the book.

They were arrested in October and released later. The writer of the book, Mohd Rafie Awang Kecik, was arrested but he remains defiant.

He lodged a police report and has challenged Ruslin to dispute the contents of the book. To be fair to the mayor, he needs to have his name cleared once and for all.

To be fair to Malaysians, they need to know whether there is any truth behind any of the allegations.

The one that got away

IN September, a senior Malaysian anti-narcotics official attending a regional meeting in Bangkok had to do much explaining.

Officials from the drug enforcement agencies around the region wanted to know how drug baron Qui Liang Jie could walk out of an Immigration detention centre. They are not alone.

Many others are wondering how he walked out a few days before being extradited to China.

Police arrested six Immigration officials and have recommended that they be charged with negligence. If they are convicted, they will face only up to two years in jail. Until their day in court arrives, they will perform desk duties.

Still on salary after so long

THE judge was ready. And so was the prosecution, or at least they thought they were.

Just as chemist Zurina Ramli began unwrapping the boxes to tender more than 60,000 psychotropic pills as evidence, she realised that something was drastically wrong.

All three boxes were empty.

The vital evidence in the drug trafficking case had gone missing from the evidence room at the district police headquarters.

That was nine months ago.

The New Straits Times has learnt that a police officer has been suspended on half pay for the past seven months.

The outcome of a disciplinary case against him hinges on whether the case against the drug trafficker proceeds.

It remains unclear why the police officer — a chief inspector — is still drawing half his salary if police investigators have already completed investigations into how the pills went missing.

Meanwhile, the drug trafficking case will be brought for mention on Jan 13, 2006 at the Shah Alam High Court.

Tua Bit, 61, faces two charges of trafficking the Nimetazepam pills in 2002. But can the case proceed without the evidence?

DESIDERATA:

FIRST, A big "kudos" to the NST team who tries very hard to make sure such "scandals" remain on our consciousness.
I feel a little sad that Kalimullah Hassan would take leave of the newspaper in less than two days' time as NST Group EIC-- "Syabas!" if he was still in charge of this first page play-up of important national issues at year-end roundup, yes, so timely, doing what essentially is fundamental duty of the Fourth Estate: LEST WE FORGET~

Let's proceed to the NEGATIVE, about The Star:

Before I "reprise" some of the points I had consistently raised at Jeff Ooi's blog when discussing issues of the Fourth Estate, Desi would like to decalre that he had served at The Star for five years, including some three years with then Associate Editor-later-Business Editor Wong Sulong. I write my views here as a professionally trained journalist, secondarily as a Civil Society promoter via blogging -- increasingly gaining credence as the Fifth Estate -- concerned about the state of affairs in the Fourth Estate in the country, and of course, also as a concerned Malaysian citizen. The dictum I follow in my own Blog, just as when visiting other blogs like Jeff Ooi's, comes from VOLTAIRE: "I may disagree with what you say but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it."

I always hold my conversationists in the highest esteem -- it's the issues that matter, NOT the personality.

So back to the said reference from The Star's wish list point 1, put forth by its GECI, DESIDERATA carries on the discourse started by Jeff Ooi, where I had also posted two comments with reference to his wish:
Let’s be kinder to each other

I also share Jeff's THINKING ALOUD, vis:


He mentions Internet, envy, "lies and distortion", "the rich and successful"... I'm scratching my head to find his context. This or that?

When newsmen become news, that's quite news-worthy. Who says perpetuating lies and distortion are the monopoly of one medium? extract as Posted by jeffooi at December 29, 2005 08:15 AM

May I pose these questions back: Indeed, who are the "rich and successful" that others have maligned? Hey, din't run down fellow Malaysians with one big brush.
With envy, lies and distortions? These are mighty serious allegations from the top gun of the largest circulating English daily in the country> Can this writer find the time to detail the charges. Otherwise,,, I was tempted to follow my Younger NBlogger Friends to let fly with F-worss, but that would provide this Wong guy with more ammo, wouldn't it?

Like Jeff, I'm scratching my head too, but I can venture some educated guesses. Can you bear with me as I adjourn back to my own archives and come up with some NUTgets, or NUTgifts since we are still in the Season of What? Eat, Drink and Be Merry!
Meanwhile, these were Desi's Initial Comments at Jeff's blog, here reproduced with typos and points amended for clarity:

"jeff -- maybe Desi's constant stance that the leading newspaper's GEIC post should not be filled by someone with one foot in Malaysia and the other in Australia?
I've several times said why this wong sulong guy's position at The Star is "untenable" -- to newcomers, here's gist in a summary:
*As in Dr Ng Yen Yen's case when she was sworn in as Senator then still a Permanent Resident of Australia, it raises the question of split loyalties; so also with the current The Star's GEIC.
* Holders of positions of high national office, with great political influence and reach -- for better or worse -- msut surely owe complete loyalty to the nation where he/she serves, and like a Minister/Deputy Minister, surely a group editor-in-chief ranks equally in power and influence and reach, does it not?

Ah, maybe the powerfool one thinks this scribe is mong the "poison-pen" distributors -- then tell me in the face.

I have only one Resolution for 2006: Expose the truly "ugly" ones among the 4th estate.

Posted by: desiderata at December 29, 2005 11:54 AM


Desi added the following in response to a comment by one WilliamL under "kinder to politikus?":

"williamL -- well said.

Just add: The Star under Wong's helm defaulted or committed sins of OMISSION:
* kept silent on APs lists being publicised UNTIL the Prime Minister had directed that the lists be made public, and a Star columnist went to town expressing 110% support as if it had taken a "fantatsic" stand, when the said stand had been overly stated by NGOs, Opposition parties and public-minded individuals among us, discerning and concerned citizens.
* Played up Ling Hee Leong's credentials,in the runup to the MCA Youth elections recently. NEVER did The Star question once his loans amounting to RM1.2billion to take over at least four public listed companies in 1997/98 -- in fact, Ling Hee Leong even boasted about his Eat, Drink and Be Merry motto, making what blatantly is a negative trait into something positive, with the help of a compliant press like the Star who plays dumb as if it does NOT know any of Ling Jr's past!

Dear God, for Our Country's sake, save us from such young and instant millionaires and billionaires now leading the nation's youth --- up the Garden path?

I'm heading to the bank for a RM10,000 to expand my business -- how many types of forms do I need, WilliamL?

Millionaires don't need to service their loans, but mortals like you, WilliamL, and me, will get a lawyer's letter if we failed to pay 3 instalments on a car or housing loan of RM30,000 or RM80,000 respectively. I'm speaking from PERSONAL experience...

Another banking bailout in 2-3 years' time? Have fun, Eat Drink & Be Married, to the Banks!

Posted by: desiderata at December 30, 2005 09:07 AM"


DESIDERATA: This is my INITIAL post to be uploaded at 2.20pm. I will study some relevant archived items at Jeff's and my own place and UPDATE with some relevant arguments to show how Wong's position at THE STAR as GEIC is not tenable; also the OMISSIONS by the paper in discharging its duties and roles of a responsible member of the Fourth Estate.
Meanwhile, my esteemed readers are ebncouarged and welcome to send me your views, which to me are of utmost importance in steering our media - mainly print English ones referred too here -- back to a more "Malaysia-Our Country"-caring course.