'This is like getting the victim to pledge for his own innocence while the offenders escaped prosecution.'

Christian group airs grouses over Utusan report to PM

Cannon: What actions he is going to take, if any, to sanction Utusan Malaysia and the two bloggers?

Did the church representatives receive any apology from the government for the scandalous behaviour of Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein for jumping the gun before any investigation and shooting his mouth calling the church a 'seditious movement' ?

This seditious remark was uttered by Najib's own cabinet officer who is in charge of peace and public order, and carried by the mainstream media.

If Najib can't get a retraction from even his own cousin who is reporting to him, well, it would be expecting too much for him to take on the wild dogs in Utusan .

Malaysian First: The people demand that there be action against the Utusan Malaysia editors and the pro-Umno bloggers. If no action is taken, then the so-called fruitful meeting is a sheer waste of time. The Umno/BN government (not just Utusan ) is guilty of fanning racial and religious sentiments and nobody will ever respect or trust the government anymore.

Anonymous_5fb: Even if PM Najib pledged to take serious action against Utusan and bloggers Big Dog and Marahku, I'll still take it as a pinch of salt.

Remember that he pledged that no stone would left unturned in the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death? Malaysia is wasting too much valuable time in all these unproductive issues.

Patriot: My hat off to the PM for really taking time and effort to meet with the parties concerned, rather than just brushing the matter aside as a wild speculation. I would give credit to Najib for being a people's man rather than just going along with the tide and flow.

I do not know if the PM has a bad personal record or not, but I am sure he is sincere in his efforts to make Malaysia a nation we all can be proud of and proclaim to the world that this is an exceptional and exemplary nation where the Muslims are a majority but still protect the interests of the other religions. Najib, I salute you.

Geronimo: If the meeting was fruitful, then may we, the Christian community in this country, know what sort of action the PM will take against those responsible for causing unnecessary anxieties in the first place.

KSN: The Christian group met the PM to air their complaints? I was under the distinct impression that the PM invited them to reassure them that firm action will be taken against the fanatics who have spread fabrications and lies to cause friction and disharmony among the people. I am a little confused about the charade by the PM, and that this group is falling for it.

Yap CS: They started it, then they turn around and blame you. And every time they do so, you people jump around like monkeys on a hot stove just to defend the status quo. When they magnanimously grant you status quo, you express your undying gratitude. Sickening.

Paddington Bear: Great. Create the problem, solve it and look like the hero. Najib has done well to hoodwink the Christian community.

Anonymous_3de1: Bishop Ng Moon Hing of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and all his merry men might have been mesmerised and beguiled by Najib who has assured them nothing other than that the police are investigating the matter.

To-date the police have very quickly and efficiently summoned the victims for questioning. But the perpetrators have continued to dwell on the subject and doing some desperate damage control by toning down their allegation but still maintaining the 'truth' of their inflammatory blogs.

The final outcome of the one-sided investigation is predictable - with double-speak and gobbledygook - but with nothing to pin and punish the real culprits.

NX: If no action is taken against Utusan , the two bloggers, the immature Home Minister Hishammuddin and the senile Information Minister Rais Yatim, this meeting is just another of Najib's wayang kulit (theatrics).

Vijay47: Najib, how dare you call for a meeting with Christian leaders and ask them for their "moderation"? Has Christians' awareness of their responsibilities as citizens of Malaysia ever been in doubt?

In fact, despite the countless provocations, insults, and acts of violence from the Malay community, we have remained steadfast in our Christian duty to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's.

I am sick and tired of you and your hypocrisy. If you had any iota of self-respect as prime minister, if you had the least a bit of honour as a decent human being, you will take immediate action against Utusan , and with the same speed, your cousin, that miserable Hishamuddin.

I demand on a platter the head of the Utusa n editorial board. If you cannot do this, Najib, resign.

Utusan publishes notice on blogger's 'explanation'

Geronimo: I am a journalist by training and during my younger days, I was a stringer for a trade journal based in Hong Kong.

One day, after I have submitted my article, a message came through the telex machine. My British boss in Hong Kong told me to abide by the check list he has given me when reporting anything from Malaysia. I looked at the check list expecting it to be long and detailed, but two items were only listed - facts, evidence. Short of these, I was told not to submit any forthcoming article.

At another time, I wrote, "To my best knowledge and belief...", he wrote back and said, "We are not interested in your knowledge and belief. Do you or don't you have a submission credible enough for our readers to read?"

So, as far as Utusan is concerned, I do not know what to make of its style of journalism but it has certainly overstepped the boundary of moral ethics of the profession. The NUJ (National Union of Journalists) should review its status, with possible de-recognition of the media as a newspaper.

Anonymous_3f15: What journalism standard is this? Utusan relies on unsubstantiated reports on other people 'blogs', and the editor approved this? Who is to blame if it causes racial strife between Christians and Muslims?

YY: Popular CNN TV personality Piers Morgan was a former editor of the British newspaper Daily Mirror . In 2004, he published a sensational story about British soldiers abusing an Iraqi, but failed to cross check the veracity of the account. The story turned out to be false. The newspaper apologised to its readers and Morgan was sacked.

Baiyuensheng: Blogger Zakhir Mohamed should be charged under the Sedition Act - anything less indicate that the government and police are biased.

Anonymous_3de1: Reading through the so-called ‘explanation' by Zakhir, one can clearly detect in the gobbledygook that he is far from being contrite. Notice how he still maintains that the pastors have met clandestinely to do what his twisted mind has determined.

Why can't the police come up with their findings quickly and put the matter to rest, and punish the guilty party instead of allowing the issue to fester?

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .