Expulsion of non-Malay press from Umno meet a 'technical error'

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob has attributed the expulsion of non-Malay media from the Lembah Pantai division meeting yesterday to a "technical error."

"It was a technical error that was unintentional," he told reporters in Parliament today.

"For me that there was no ill intention on the part of the meeting's emcee on the day towards the media in question." 

Yesterday, non-Malay journalists and photographers were told to leave before the meeting at the University of Malaya Alumni Association premises in Petaling Jaya.

It is learned that the instructions were issued on the grounds that the event was a meeting on Malay issues, and that only Malay reporters were allowed to cover Ismail Sabri's opening address.

The Umno leader said he was of the view that the emcee only wished those who were directly affected by the subject matter to be present, and that it was a closed-door meeting.

However, Ismail Sabri acknowledged that the way in which the request was worded was not suitable.

“It must be respected that the meeting was a closed-door event. 

"But the words used were quite sensitive and I understand why the media who heard it might have felt offended,” he said.

Geramm condemns Lembah Pantai Umno for 'evicting' non-Malay journos

Journo groups launch media council proposal, seek feedback

Geramm raises plight of unpaid media workers

Journalists should be involved in setting up of media council