Siti Zaharah said it was time to review all aspects about Harakah "as it has reached a level that jeopardises national unity by disseminating false information and depicting the Government in a negative light".
The same charge can be levelled against certain mainstream mass media,
especially in their most unethical and irresponsible journalism during
the eight-day campaign period in the tenth general election to make it
the dirtiest election in the nation’s history. Will the new Minister
for National Unity and Social Development also call for the banning of
these mainstream mass media?
After the recent general election, Barisan Nasional should not show
the ugly undemocratic face to ban Harakah when it should lift the undemocratic
restriction to allow Harakah, Rocket (DAP organ) and all party publications
unrestricted circulation for the Malaysian public.
If any publication, whether party organ or mainstream mass media, had been responsible for falsehoods, negative and irresponsible journalism, then they should be subjected to the ordinary laws of the land or public expose.
Will Siti Zaharah make the first constructive proposal as Minister for National Unity and Social Development by proposing to the Cabinet that a special commission be established to study how the mass media had acted irresponsibly and unethically in the recent general election campaign jeopardising national unity, and to make recommendations as to how such anti-national activities could be prevented for the future?
(28/12/99)