Both these Bahasa Malaysia dailies, well-known as the leading Barisan-controlled print media in the country, carried the same front-page stories quoting the National University Hospital director Dr. Khalid Abdul Kadir that there were no clear signs that former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had been poisoned with arsenic.
It is most shocking why the announcement by the National University Hospital that results of initial investigations that Anwar is not suffering from arsenic poisoning was not made at a media conference open to both the local and international media in view of the intense national and international interest, but made to two local mass media notorious for their political bias and even unscrupulousness to resort to falsehoods and untruths to attack Anwar as well as other Opposition leaders.
In their distrust of what is carried in the Barisan-controlled media, Malaysians are asking whether Dr. Khalid had been correctly reported as saying that Anwar did not show any clear signs that could establish he was poisoned with arsenic, as contradictory reports had emanated from the hospital.
For instance, on Sept. 12, Dr Khalid was reported as saying that Anwar’s condition was "good", but nine days later, on Sept. 20, Hospital UKM produced a letter in court resulting in a postponement of Anwar’s trial, which said: "The detailed examination with regards to the arsenic posioning is not complete and his presence in court will make it difficult for us to finish the tests. Secondly, we find he has some health problems such as high blood pressure although it comes down when he's standing. We have also detected problems with his lungs through clinical X-rays and CT-scans and he needs to be examined by chest experts."
Twenty-four hours later, there seems to be another somersault with Dr. Khalid quoted as saying that Anwar was not suffering from arsenic poisoning.
The Barisan-controlled mass media should stop poisoning the minds of Malaysians with one-sided, slanted reports about investigations into arsenic poisoning of Anwar Ibrahim.
To clear the air and to protect his professional reputation, Dr. Khalid should immediately convene a media conference open to all local and foreign journalists, attended by Anwar’s family members, his lawyers and medical representatives so that the people can get a true and correct picture of what Dr. Khalid has to say about Anwar’s medical tests to date.
(22/9/99)