Najib the magnanimous
Oct 23, 2008 Rantings
Is this a sign of the times to come? Or too early to tell?
Either way, kudos to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for taking the high road and accepting the apology of online news site Malaysiakini after one of its editor’s ran a story pertaining to a purported “manifesto” which it received via email from a “Najib support group”. The Deputy Prime Minister had earlier condemned the report.
Today’s report in The Star indicated that Najib has indeed forgiven Malaysiakini, stating:
“The journalist who wrote the article has also resigned as a sign of accountability over a fake story. This shows professionalism on her part,” the Deputy Prime Minister said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday.
“I’m satisfied with the apology from the editor of Malaysiakini and also the journalist who has taken full responsibility over the story.”
I hope that with this, the issue would be laid to rest. After all, I think that mistakes happen and the news site was quick to remove the article, and publicly apologise. I really don’t think there was any malicious intention on Malaysiakini’s part. Of course, I am not condoning such methods of journalism (print/upload/broadcast first, then apologise later) but shit happens, and genuine incidents should be taken at face value.
I hope this means that the DPM will not be taking further action against the news site.
Najib’s reaction is a far cry (and fitting of a statesman) from Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s reaction in yesterday’s The Star.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said “somebody” should lodge a report against the article in Malaysiakini so that police could initiate investigations.
On whether Malaysiakini’s apology was enough, Syed Hamid replied: “They put in a false report and then apologise for it, that’s not good.
If that is not being a batu api, I don’t know what is. “Somebody” should lodge a report? Aiyah, you are Home Minister and since you love the ISA so much, just use it lah.
Yes, the perpetrators of the original email needs to be caught - and yes, perhaps even punished if it is indeed fake - but surely one can let nature take its course instead of adding fuel to the fire I think.
My two sens.
3pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: malaysiakini, manifesto, Najib Tun Razak, politics, syed hamid albar
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