The uneasy relationship between Malaysian leaders and the foreign media has o­nce again boiled over, this time in relation to a series of articles in the Economist which allegedly disparage achievements under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The nine articles, published for the magazine's April 5 survey titled 'The Changing of the Guard - A Survey of Malaysia', analysed the prospective change in premiership, Malaysia's economic achievements under Mahathir's leadership and political challenges facing the Umno leadership in retaining Malay support.

The initial trickle of criticism against the Economist by Defence Minister and Umno vice-president Najib Abdul Razak has since grown into a flood as Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders joined in to call for strong action, including banning the magazine.

'Ill-will' against Malaysia

At a press conference last Thursday - some two weeks after the survey's publication - Najib levelled the first criticism against the Economist , saying that its writer had failed to give an accurate and true picture of the country's leadership and government policies.

He also found fault with comparisons made between the premier and his prospective successor, Acting Prime Minister and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, saying that it could create a misunderstanding over the leadership transition set for October.

Najib's criticism prompted a quick response by Abdullah, who issued a rare statement saying that the tone of the Economist articles suggested "ill-will against the country's leadership".

Abdullah ( left ) said that no o­ne, including the western media, could dismiss the progress and successes achieved by Malaysia under Mahathir's leadership. He called o­n the magazine to apologise for giving "wrong information" o­n Malaysia.

Following Abdullah's statement, several other BN leaders have stepped up the attacks o­n the Economist .

Stop circulation

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said foreign magazines that "belittle" Malaysia in their articles should not be sold in the country.

According to a Bernama report yesterday, Syed Hamid said that, while the government had no problem with constructive criticism, it would not tolerate reports which attacked the credibility of the country's leadership and looked down o­n the nation's credibility.

The foreign minister's position was echoed by Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said who called for a ban o­n the distribution of the magazine and for its office in Malaysia to be closed down (The Economist's editorial offices are based o­nly in London and Hong Kong).

Azalina told the press that the distribution of the magazine should be banned as "we have no respect for a magazine which has no respect for our government".

She also condemned the Economist for its "lazy reporter" and for "depending o­n feedback" from opposition groups.

Recurring problem

Meanwhile, several other BN leaders have added their recommendations o­n how the government ought to deal with the Economist .

Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung said the foreign media should check their facts with the government to avoid any future misinformation o­n the country.

Works Minister and MIC president S Samy Vellu was quoted as saying in newspapers yesterday that the Economist should pay compensation to Malaysia for tarnishing the image of the country and for "smearing" the good name of the prime minister.

This is not the first time that the Economist has run into problems with its articles o­n Malaysia.

Last year, several issues of the magazine were held back from distribution after failing to pass the scrutiny of home ministry censors.

Aside from the Economist , other magazines that raised the ministry's ire last year included Newsweek , Time and the Far Eastern Economic Review .

Although there were threats of stern measures, including lawsuits, against these magazines, no action was taken.