PAS duo's personal attack on journalist unforgivable - MP, media groups

Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah deemed the personal attack launched by two PAS politicians against journalist Minderjeet Kaur unacceptable.

She said such an attack coming from PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad (above, left) is not shocking to many but horrendous and unforgivable coming from a federal minister.

“Idris, instead of answering the reporter’s question or even politely declining, attacked her family and refused to answer her question.

“Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Human Resources Awang Hashim was equally condescending when he ridiculed the reporter’s nationality because she had posed the question in English.

“Is the standard for our ministers that low these days that they can no longer understand or answer in other languages anymore? Since when is asking a question using a universal language an act of disrespect?” she said in a statement today.

Maria said journalists, especially female media practitioners, should not be threatened by chauvinistic politicians who resort to personal attacks to deflect from answering questions.

She urged both PAS ministers to issue a public apology to Minderjeet and pledge not to repeat these crude offences.

“There needs to be stern action taken against the duo to set a precedent for all.

“The Communications and Multimedia Ministry also should look into this matter seriously and educate their colleagues on media decorum to prevent instances like this from repeating,” the lawmaker said. 

Maria's views on the situation are echoed by independent media advocacy group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM).

“The actions of the two PAS party leaders who are also members of the cabinet are unacceptable.

“It should be noted that every journalist has the responsibility and right to ask about any issue. On the other hand, the party in question also reserves the right not to comment.

“There is no reason to attack a journalist personally just for not being prepared to respond,” said Geramm on Facebook today.

The media group added that the responses from the two PAS MPs clearly show disrespect for the work of journalists and women who may be seen as easily bullied.

'Don't use power to bully'

NUJM president Farah Marshita Abdul Patah also strongly condemned Idris and Awang’s actions.

“It should be remembered that the duty of journalists, in addition to asking questions to disseminate information to the public, we also have a role in ensuring that there is a check and balance in the administration of the country/state/politics.

“As a leader, it is important to explain the actions taken in the administration to ensure that the purpose of its implementation is fair and beneficial to the people,” she said.

Farah said questions from journalists should be accepted with an open mind.

“If you fail to answer the question posed by the reporter, it means that the steps/implementation taken are not well thought out.

“Don’t blame the person asking if you don’t have the answer to our question. Don’t try to divert questions by attacking other people’s shortcomings. Don’t use power to bully, especially women,” she added. 

Yesterday, two PAS representatives reportedly turned hostile towards the Free Malaysia Today reporter when she attempted to ask Idris about Kedah’s recent ban on gaming outlets - which was previously unveiled by the PAS-led state government.

In response, Awang purportedly admonished Minderjeet for not speaking in Malay - while Idris made a snide remark at her husband on whether she could tolerate her spouse being a gambler.

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