Pengerusi Kebangsaan DAP, Lim Kit Siang berkata, beliau menyambut baik cadangan itu dan menganggapnya sebagai wajar.
Jelasnya, ini disebabkan MCA pada pilihan raya umum lalu mencatat keputusan yang baik dan banyak menyumbang kepada kejayaan dua pertiga Barisan Nasional (BN)."
The 1999 general election had been the dirtiest general election in the nation’s 42-year history, caused primarily by a Malaysian mass media which practised the most unbelievably unethical and irresponsible journalism where there is no respect for truth and facts whatsoever.
Utusan Malaysia is one of the worst examples why Malaysian journalists must hold their heads in shame at such unethical and irresponsible journalism, distorting what the Barisan Alternatif leaders said, concocting statements purportedly made by Barisan Alternatif leaders and even committing the cardinal sin of distorting my quotations.
Although the general election is over, the unethical and irresponsible newspapers like Utusan Malaysia seem unable to wean itself of from the opium of falsehoods and unprincipled journalism.
Utusan Malaysia’s report today on my purported support for a second Penang Deputy Chief Minister for MCA is the latest example. I never supported the proposal that MCA get the post of a second Penang Chief Minister.
What I said yesterday was that if MCA wanted to ask for the post of second Penang Deputy Chief Minister, it should also be asking for an additional Minister and Deputy Minister as well as for one of the senior Cabinet posts such as Finance or International Trade and Industry Minister because of the Nov. 29, 1999 general election results.
The Utusan Malaysia coverage of the 1999 election campaign, and its contribution to make it the dirtiest election in the nation’s history, should be a case study for all Malaysians as to how the mass media can become a vicious and anti-national force to sow ill-will, disaffection and hatred among different races and religions.
(10/12/99)