Malaysiakini was today allowed to cover the deputy prime minister's function in Kuala Lumpur although there was a brief period of uncertainty due to yesterday's announcement by the deputy home minister that the Internet newspaper has been banned from government proceedings.

Fifteen minutes before the presentation of the CEO Award of the Year 2001 in Sheraton Hotel by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at 4pm, information ministry officials told the two malaysiakini reporters assigned to the event that they were not allowed in.

Information Ministry official Noorzihan Tambi said that he had been directed by his superior from the Media and Newspapers Department that malaysiakini should not be allowed into the function venue.

"We are sorry we cannot allow you in. We have been given the directive," said Noorzihan.

Another official told the reporters that the directive was attached along with a newspaper clipping reporting the ban.

Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung was quoted by The Sun today as saying that the malaysiakini has been barred from covering and attending any government functions as the website is "very critical of the government", on top of not having press accreditation.

The Star today also reported Chor as advising government agencies to ensure that its press conferences are attended only by media accredited by the Information Ministry. Chor was said to be replying to a query by reporters on allegations that Malaysiakini.com had obtained funding from billionaire financier George Soros' charity body, Open Society Institute, through the Bangkok-based South East Asian Press Alliance (Seapa).

However, on further demand by the reporters for formal proof of the ban, Noorzihan said that he will check with the personal assistants of Abdullah, who is also Home Minister.

Just seconds before Abdullah was due to enter the hall at 4pm, his press secretary Kamarulzaman Zainal told malaysiakini reporters that they could go in and cover the function. He did not elaborate or explain on the change of mind within a short span.

Despite a large turnout by the press, both local and foreign, Abdullah was whisked off after the event by his bodyguards, without even a brief chat with reporters as was the norm with the deputy prime minister even when no press conference was scheduled.

CEO of the year

At the ceremony, chief executive officer of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (Proton) since 1996 Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff was named the 2000 CEO of the Year.

The candidates were judged on their personality, financial management, development management, environment and nation-building activities, among others.

The annual award is jointly organised by American Express Corporate Services and Business Times .