YOURSAY ‘Each and every compensation is, however, borne by taxpayers.’

 

Utusan defamed Kit Siang in 'Augustus Chen' story

Sali Tambap: Utusan Malaysia has become a habitual offender in making false and malicious reports.

 

This is demonstrated by the many times that it has been proven so, especially by court verdicts where it has lost cases brought by unhappy plaintiffs.

 

The penalty, where it merely has to pay cost and a fine, is perhaps too lenient. It should be harshly penalised until it is unable to continue operating as a newspaper.

 

In the United States, such a crime by the news media is considered very serious and it often comes with a heavy penalty.

 

Vijay47: Actually there is another more insidious side to this shameful tale when we consider the role of the ROS (Registrar of Societies).

 

On what basis, did the registrar find irregularities in the DAP party polls that he forced them to hold fresh elections?

 

The really sad truth is that we do not seem able to find an officer of integrity and honour in any government department. Everybody is willing to break every rule just to serve the interests of their political masters.

 

CucuMalaysia: Vijay47, you are absolutely right. There are many cases happening nowadays showing that there is no ministry/department that is independent of the current Umno-BN regime's influence in carrying out its duties.

 

So many lopsided rulings against the opposition, although their salaries are paid by taxpayers. Where is their integrity and honour?

 

Versey: I just can't help chuckling as I recalled that about half a year ago, this very newspaper had accused Malaysiakini of " Stone Age " journalism for reporting facts that have yet to be verified, etc, etc.

 

This was despite Utusan at that time having already "earned" quite a number of defamation suits against its goodself and losing most of them.

 

This time, again, it was found to have defamed MP Lim Kit Siang (LKS) and has to pay him RM250,000 for general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

 

Yes, each and every compensation from Utusan to LKS or any Pakatan Rakyat MPs is borne by taxpayers, but don't forget that these taxpayers also include BN cronies and supporters.

 

In a way, this reverses the normal flow of taxpayers' money and it's better to contribute to the poorer party.

 

Old Timer: It seems Utusan has never learnt any lesson from being sued by so many individuals, especially from the opposition, and yet the government is using taxpayers' money to bail out this "nobody wants to read" paper.

 

FellowMalaysian: Time and again, Umno's lapdog Utusan has been proven wrong and compelled to pay compensation for damages done.

 

This must have brought considerable pain and embarrassment, both to the Umno lords as well as the Utusan editors.

 

I urge Awang Selamat & Co to consider folding up the broadsheet that has brought Umno nothing but utter shame.

 

Not Smart: If this is the integrity of Utusan , don't blame others for not advertising in your paper as their integrity too will be tarnished.

 

CQ Muar: Evidently this goes to show what junk Umno's Utusan really is. People have virtually lost count of the number of times this 'toilet' paper has been sued.

 

Don't they have better news or articles to publish while reaching out to those innocent rural folk who are their main supporters, instead of indulging in defamation, fabricating lies without substantiating and verifying the facts - making unjustified attacks against especially those from the opposition?

 

As for Kuala Lumpur High Court's judgment against Utusan , congratulations to both Kit Siang and lawyer Gobind Singh Deo for the victory.

 

It’s a well-deserved lesson for the brainless and irresponsible Utusan journalists, as well as the so-called ‘top-notched’ administrators and editors. They should all be fired en bloc. What will they think of next, I wonder?

 

Kawak: A newspaper that has been found guilty for defamation on so many occasions would have lost all credibility.

 

Yet, unashamedly it still continues to spin news and spew hatred on political opponents for the benefit of Umno.

 

Sirach: Indeed, it's a wonder that this rag has not closed shop. Its readership must be made up of those who enjoy tall tales with a distinctly putrid racial and religious slant.

 

With every defamation suit it has lost (and there are many), another nail has been driven into its coffin. But why, oh why, has its burial taken so long? The stench is simply overpowering.

 

Shibboleth: The truth has no sovereign. It always outlives its pall bearers. LKS, LGE (Lim Guan Eng), Gobind and like-minded leaders, may your longevity be as long as the southern mountains.

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