Dark forces are out to snuff out any springtime of freedom in Malaysia
On 8th September, I wrote:
“The birds are chirping, does it herald a spring-time of freedom in Malaysia – but will it be snuffed out like the Arab Spring?
“These thoughts crossed my mind as I breathed a new air in the atmosphere.
“There is less stuffiness but is it the air of greater freedom, a greater openness, a beginning of a reset of nation-building principles and policies as embedded in the Constitution and the Rukun Negara to make Malaysia a world-class great nation?
“Can we look forward to less corruption and abuses of power, the rule of law, greater freedom and respect for human rights, lower prices, better pay, better public transport, good schools and universities – the makings of a world-class great nation?
“It is still early to say.”
In less than a week, the dark forces are out to snuff out any springtime of freedom in Malaysia.
But will they succeed?
Today, The Vibes reported such “dark forces” in action with a report entitled: “NST group editor set to be culled following alleged UMNO interference?”, which said:
“It is learnt that New Straits Times’ group editor Ahmad Lokman Mansor is set to be removed from his current post and given an option to either return to the Umno-controlled English daily’s business desk where he had served previously or leave the company.”
The Vibes Team reported:
“As the 15th general election looms, political powers have allegedly continued to interfere in the appointment of key media personnel in an effort to sway narratives in their favour for the ensuing campaign.
“One such case involves the impending removal of New Straits Times’ (NST) group editor Ahmad Lokman Mansor from his post due to alleged interference by Umno bigwigs, namely former second finance minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
“It is learnt that Lokman is set to be replaced by Farrah Naz Karim by October 1 with the former given an option to either return to the Umno-controlled English daily’s business desk where he had served previously or leave the company.”
Eight days ago, I said there was “light at the end of the tunnel when there was bleak despair and utter hopelessness” with the jailing of former Prime Minister, Najib Razak for corruption charges and the conviction of his wife, Rosmah Mansor, also for corruption charges.
But I warned: “But powerful forces are at work to restore the atmosphere of bleak despair and utter hopelessness for Malaysians who want the country to become a world-class great nation.
“Whether they will succeed will depend on whether Malaysians who aspire to see the country become a world-class great nation are long-distance runners.
“But the shoots for a New Malaysia are beginning to come out.”
I had referred to a refreshing New Straits Times editorial entitled “Of Laws and men”, which admitted that “over the years. here in Malaysia, it has been a government of men, not laws” and the Malaysiakini article by long-time Star journalist on “Why there is no saving Rosmah”.
The responses from these “dark forces” of repression are expected, the question is whether Malaysia and media practitioners are easily cowed or are long-distance runners for media freedom to protect reformers for change and better quality of life.
UMNO leaders are showing that in the 15th General Election, the issues they are attacking at the rule of law, an independent judiciary, the war against corruption and now media freedom.
The Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri’s guarantee of press freedom only last week had been made a total mockery by this NST action.
Is he capable of doing anything to ensure that his words matter?