I write in support of Health Ministry deputy director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican's remarks that politicians stop "pointing fingers, fighting and making statements" in newspapers.

Firstly, a majority of Malaysians are seriously concerned about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) and feel fortunate that the Health Ministry has done a good job so far. The Sars death toll is much, much higher in other countries.

Secondly, the Health Ministry has put in place preventive measures to stem the spread of the deadly sickness. But as regards the Health Ministry's accusations against the local Chinese press over the latter's purported exaggeration of the figures o­n Sars, we don't care.

Moreover, the issue of the Chinese press playing up stories (not necessary o­n Sars) is the norm rather than the exception, which they do for the sake of selling papers. This is nothing new, anybody in business can tell you that it has been a sales gimmick for years.

As regards the speculation that certain newspapers, particularly their political masters, are behind the efforts to undermine Health Minister Chua Jui Meng (in connection with the MCA split), the truth will dawn o­ne day. As to whether editors or reporters are really the o­nes whipping up public opinion against the ministry's performance, I am not sure about this. The Malaysian public is not a stupid lot but a thinking electorate, particularly its readers. If the second scenario is true, then these irresponsible editors and reporters are diverting the ministry from getting o­n with the task of containing the disease.

Recently, The Star joined in the fray by harping o­n the same old issue in a news article written by a lapdog of a reporter. It is so obvious and such a shame to journalism. I think "saving lives" is more important than "saving face" (for the editors' political interests). Can these journalists save lives? If not, just shut up and leave the Health Ministry to concentrate o­n its important tasks.

Informing the public o­n Sars is not that a noble task compared with saving lives. The media should not overplay their role. Just report the news and while they are at that, there is no need for lapdogs to complicate the fight against Sars.

As for The Star , I have boycotted this newspaper for two years.