I refer to Patricia Tang's letter ' The simple truth about our media '.

Sometime, the standard of so-called 'journalism' of the official party-controlled media borders on sickening absurdity. The other day, on page three of MCA-owned The Star , almost half a page was devoted to a 'report' of how one of its vice presidents, Dr Fong Chan On, celebrated his birthday. It was backed up by a coloured photograph.

Is this news of public interest? Who cares if Dr Fong is happy or sad? Was there no other more important and real news that day?

It is certainly not news, but a shameful and dishonest act of personal advertisement. It is also a laughing stock of the world. The Star has lowered the standard of journalism and brought shame to Malaysia.