Veteran journalist Hata Wahari has stepped down as president of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) effective today.

NONE In a statement today, the NUJ said that its executive council has elected incumbent vice-president Chin Sung Chew ( left ) as the new president. 

“The executive council would like to express its gratitude to Hata for his contributions to the union,” NUJ general secretary V Anbalagan said.

Hata's resignation as the NUJ chief follows his sacking from Utusan Malaysia on April 21.

He was sacked after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of eight charges of bringing the company into disrepute.

Chin has been chairperson of the NUJ branch of Sin Chew Media Corp since 2000. He was elected as NUJ deputy secretary-general in 1999, and became vice-president in 2002.

When contacted, Chin refused to comment on his new position, saying he needed time to hold discussions with the committee members first.

Avoid potential problems

Hata told Malaysiakini that he stepped down because it was necessary to avoid potential problems for the NUJ with the Registrar of Societies.

He said that he had received a letter dated May 13 from the Selangor and Federal Territories Union Department of the Human Resources Ministry which informed him that he has lost his eligibility to be the NUJ president following his dismissal from Utusan.

“Thus, I have to step down. This is my sacrifice in order for NUJ to continue as normal,” he said, but added that he still feels that he is a NUJ member.

He denied that he was pressured to do so or that he was joining a political party.