A gag order has been imposed on staff of New Sarawak Tribune  following the suspension of its executive editor, Paul Si, over the Aug 30 front-page article that had apparently ruffled Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud’s feathers.

According to sources, the staff were told not to talk about Si’s suspension , believed to have been ordered by Taib’s youngest daughter Hanifah.

 

Hanifah was said to have lashed out at the daily’s top editors over the article during a Monday evening meeting that lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

The following day, incidently Merdeka Day, Si was suspended. Si refused to comment when contacted today.

The offending article, titled ‘ Is Taib testing the waters? ’, contained unflattering remarks from various political analysts who questioned Taib’s motives in announcing his willingness to quit ahead of state polls that must be called before June next year.

sarawak tribune paul si 020910 Analysts claim that Taib, who has ruled Sarawak for 29 years, floated the idea of his retirement as a ruse to identify possible dissidents within his camp.

The article was originally published by Information Ministry-owned Bernama news wire services on Aug 27, but only made it to print in the Tribune two days later.

In a related development, Tribune board member James Ritchie has denied a report that said he was removed as “editorial adviser” over the publication of the article.

‘CM doesn’t interfere’

Ritchie also expressed doubt that Taib was in any way involved in Si’s suspension.

“The chief minister has a policy of non-interference. I doubt he would have been personally involved in the sacking of anyone from the Tribune ,” he said when contacted.

NONE Yesterday, online news portal Free Malaysia Today reported that Ritchie had been dismissed over the incident.

The Tribune was launched on May 19 this year, at a function that was officiated by Taib ( left in photo ).

It is the latest incarnation of the 61-year-old Sarawak Tribune that was suspended indefinitely by the home ministry on Feb 9, 2006, and later became the Eastern Times, after the suspension order was rescinded.

The newspaper is believed to be linked to Taib. It is a subsidiary of Naim Cendera Holdings Bhd, owned by Abdul Hamed Sepawi. [See correction below]

Abdul Hamed is Taib's cousin and according to Forbes magazine, is in Malaysia's Top 40 richest list .

Taib not going to ride into the sunset yet  

 

CORRECTION: New Sarawak Tribune is not a subsidiary of Naim Holdings Bhd (formerly known as Naim Cendera Holdings Bhd). Abdul Hamed Sepawi is the chairman of the Naim Holdings and he is among 1,000 of its shareholders.