National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Hata Wahari may open a nasi lemak stand near his home in Puchong and plans a NUJ complaints counter in front of Utusan Malaysia ’s office off Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur.

This is in view of his indefinite suspension from his duties in Utusan and uncertainty on his financial upkeep, since his employer has not made it clear if he is suspended with or without pay.

NONE “I don’t know, I am going to have to wait until the end of this month to find out if they bank in my salary or not. Otherwise I may have to go to the Labour Department.

“Since I have nothing to do and may not have a salary, I may look to opening a nasi lemak stall,” he quipped.

Barred from setting foot on the grounds of Utusan offices, the senior journalist also aims to put up a small tent in front of the main entrance to the office.

“I shall pitch my blue tent right here and sit here with my laptop. I shall open a journalists’ complaints counter.

“I can even hold meetings with the Utusan NUJ chapter here,” he told Malaysiakini when met before his domestic inquiry hearing this morning.

50th anniversary of Utusan picket

Hata said the Utusan chapter of the union plans to hold an exhibition this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1961 workers' picket.

NONE “We shall hold it right here on the streets in front of Utusan , because it is here on the streets that the demonstrations happened.

“ Utusan used to be in the forefront of fair and balanced journalism, until the takeover. We are looking at 50 years since Utusan journalists have been silenced,” lamented Hata.

Hata’s future may follow that of his friend and NUJ- Utusan branch chairperson Amran Ahmad who was sacked after a domestic inquiry.

While Utusan maintains that Amran was sacked because of disciplinary issues, many believe that this smacks of the media giant trying to penalise union leaders.

Given his vocal criticism of Utusan policies, observers predict the same fate to befall Hata.