The Economist has ruled out any likelihood that it would issue an apology for its recent survey o­n Malaysia which has offended several Barisan Nasional leaders.

The London-based magazine today said it will not be running an apology o­n the matter, despite a demand issued through the Malaysian media by Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. ( photo )

Abdullah had threatened to take action against the news magazine, including imposing a ban, unless it complies with the government's demand. However, he had also stated that the government would not be writing an official protest note to the magazine.

No effect

Asked to comment, Economist writer Christopher Lockwood responded by e-mail saying: "No, we will not be running an apology. Threats certainly would not make an apology any more likely."

He also said the current difficulties being faced by the magazine over its April 5 survey would not affect future coverage of Malaysia.

"We will go o­n trying to present a balanced view of Malaysia, praising the good things about it and criticising it where we think it is at fault. That's what our readers buy the Economist for," he said.

Contacted today, Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung said the government was still considering if it would take any action against the Economist .

"We are still deciding what to do," he said when asked if the government was serious about banning the magazine.

Issue missing

Meanwhile, the latest issue of the magazine has been held back since its publication date of April 26. No reasons have been given for the delay.

A check at the Economist web site revealed that the edition contains an article critical of the sodomy trial of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The article pointed out alleged irregularities, including the conviction of Anwar o­n the testimony of o­nly o­ne witness - and o­ne who changed his testimony several times during the trial.

The report also charted Anwar's jail term, projecting that he might o­nly be released in 2009 after serving the full prison term.

"Many Malaysians believe it would be too embarrassing for the judiciary to back down and let Mr Anwar go free, even after Dr Mahathir's scheduled retirement this October," the report stated.

"But there are a brave few who suggest that the prime minister's designated successor, Abdullah Badawi, might like to signal a change of climate by presiding over Mr Anwar's release. Or the Federal Court might simply ignore the politician's preferences altogether and judge the case o­n its merits."

Intentions disputed

The controversy over the Economist survey series o­n Malaysia started after Umno vice-president Najib Tun Razak ( photo ) and Abdullah took the magazine to task for publishing articles which allegedly hinted at "ill-will" towards the government.

At the heart of the dispute is an article entitled 'A Qualified Success' which critically assessed Mahathir's achievements.

Following the objections, several other BN leaders, including Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar and Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said have called for the magazine to be banned.

However, the BN leaders' accusations of an unfair portrayal of Mahathir have been refuted by Lockwood, who insisted Monday that he had fairly balanced his criticism with compliments o­n some of the premier's achievements.