Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s apparent threat to shut down newspapers which was made in Malacca on Saturday seems to have ruffled feathers in the traditional media as well.

nadeswaranA day after a group of Chinese editors demanded that Ahmad Zahid retract his threat, theSun’s veteran editor R Nadeswaran (right), known as one of the more vocal journalists in the industry, wrote a critical commentary piece against Ahmad Zahid and his remarks.

In his weekly column called ‘Citizen Nades’, Nadeswaran said Ahmad Zahid has “little respect for the law” and “pays no heed to common sense”.

In the column, titled ‘The foot is in the mouth... again’, Nadeswaran said staying silent on the matter was not an option any longer for journalists, and admitted being aware of possible consequences he could face over his writing.

“I am writing this article from the heart, fully aware of the consequences. I am well aware that a fellow journalist was arrested for her own protection,” he said, referring to the arrest of a Sin Chew Daily reporter under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2008, by then home minister Syed Hamid Syed Albar.

“Silence is no longer an option for those who choose to call themselves journalists. For our dignity and pride, we have to stand and say our piece on those who choose to ride roughshod over us,” Nadeswaran said.

“Politicians should no longer be allowed to use journalism as cannon fodder for their actions or the lack of them,” he added.

Zahid made the threat against journalists during an event with Umno delegates at Ayer Keroh in Malacca last Saturday.

He said he would shut down any newspaper that reported any of the statements he made on that day.

Earlier, the home minister admitted to the police’s ‘shoot first’ policy when it comes to Indian gangsters, while also appearing to back the outlawed Tiga Line Malay underworld gang, asking them to “carry on” with their activities.

Related stories

'What about rights of cops and crime victims?'

Cops have standards to uphold, Suaram tells Zahid

Anwar: Home minister needs basic education in law

MCA boss regrets Zahid's rants

'Zahid safe from law despite implied extra-judicial killing'

International NGO also urges Zahid's removal