English daily New Straits Times has terminated the weekly columns penned by two of its popular contributors - controversial filmmaker Amir Muhammad and social activist Zainah Anwar.

According to press watchdog Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Amir's Thursday column and Zainah's Friday column, last appeared on July 27 and August 2 respectively.

Amir confirmed that the NST has canceled his column on his blog, Writing by Amir , in a posting on last Monday.

"The fact that my NST column has been terminated means that I have more time to devote to setting up my publishing company," wrote Amir, who said his company's first book will be 'Malaysian Politicians Say the Darndest Things'.

Amir is director of two controversial films, The Last Communist , and its sequel, the Village People Radio Show , which were banned because of its re-interpretation of historical events during the communist insurgency.

His previous column in NST , which began in 1987 was similarly terminated 12 years later, just before the 1999 general elections.

Lack of space

Meanwhile, NST deputy group editor, Kamarul Idris Zulkifli, told CIJ that the Umno-linked newspaper had decided not continue Zainah's column because of the lack of space for non-staff columns. [*correction]

Zainah as leader of the Sisters in Islam (SIS) is also a controversial figure. Her group was heavily criticised by both members of ruling party Umno and opposition PAS for, among others, advocating that the constitutional right to freedom of religion be upheld.

Zainah's final column was ironically titled 'Let's give freedom a good press'.

"This latest termination of the columns and the recent witch-hunt on bloggers by the government are signs that the state is moving towards a semblance of totalitarianism," said CIJ executive director Gayathry Venkiteswaran.

"The move raises suspicion that the government is intent on increasing its control over public discussion in the mainstream media amidst expectations of an early general election."

Gayathry argued that the removal of the columnists further shrinks the "balance of views" in the Malaysian media.

"The removal of the duo from the mainstream media is another worrying sign that freedom of expression and information are being curbed at the time when Malaysians needed more discussion and information in the run-up to election."

[*] CORRECTION Kamarul today pointed out to malaysiakini that he had not told CIJ the two columnists were removed due to "lack of space". He declined to comment on the reason for their removal apart from saying that the daily periodically reviewed its columnists.

The "lack of space" comment was attributed to Zainah by CIJ, which quoted her as saying that this was the reason given by Kamarul to Zainah on why her column was terminated.

We regret the error. ( Aug 15, 2007 )