The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the Penang government to immediately withdraw a resolution stopping Utusan Malaysia journalists from covering state assembly proceedings.    

"It should not have used its brute majority in the house to impose the ban which NUJ believes is unprecedented," NUJ general-secretary V Anbalagan said in a statement today.    

He said such action violated the freedom of speech and expression, which includes freedom of the press, under the federal constitution, the supreme law of the land.    

NONE Anbalagan ( right ) said the Penang government must understand that the media and journalists were there to cover proceedings that concerned the people of the state.    

"The state assembly is in fact the people's assembly and the media, which serves public interest, must be allowed to cover proceedings unhindered," he said.    

"On this account, the resolution passed to ban Utusan Malaysia must be rescinded when the house meets tomorrow (Monday)," he added.    

The NUJ also urged the media fraternity to observe the highest journalism ethical standards in reporting the event.    

The statement alluded to a resolution passed by the state assembly in May banning Utusan Malaysia from covering future sittings over an allegedly false report.    

- Bernama