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The people's paper or the party's paper?

 
Media Conference Statement
 by Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew

(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): The Star usually do not publish news and activities of DAP. This is simply because the paper is owned and controlled by MCA. The situation worsens in recent months as the coming general election is just around the corner.

The paper that cares practically do not even bother to send its journalists to cover DAP events, whether it is press conferences, police reports, presentations of memorandum, forums or gatherings.

These were some of the DAP events which were covered by some of the media but were completely blackout by The Star:

- Police report against Ling Liong Sik over Chang Min Thien Education Fund (DAP Selangor).
- Police report against Abdul Kudus, MPAJ's enforcement officer (DAP Selangor).
- Presentation of memorandum to Ong Ka Ting over restoration of local government election (DAP Selangor)
- Presentation of memorandum to Department of Environment over the Broga incinerator controversy( DAP Selangor)
- Visit to MPKj over banning of pork-selling in open markets( DAP Selangor)
- Press conference on alleged corruption of MPAJ officers (DAP Selangor)
- Press conference on compensation for the Kg Cempaka flood victims ( DAP PJ)
- Presentation of memorandum to YDP MPPJ over building of community hall on the only green lung in Taman Mayang (DAP PJ)
- Presentation of memorandum to Samy Vellu over Sg Chuah land matters (DAP Selangor)
- Forum on PJ master plan (DAP PJ)
- Forum on Formula 2-4-3 ( DAP national )
- Forum on US-Iraqi war (DAP national)
- Press conference on restriction of beer signages in Selangor ( DAP Selangor)
- Press conference on closure of pubs, karaokes and other entertainment outlets in Selangor (DAP Selangor)

On the other hand, most of the press statements sent by DAP leaders on issues such as national service, human rights, universities intake, incinerators, education and financial scandals have never seen the light of the day as far as The Star is concerned.

I am compelled to write this statement as a clarification after receiving numerous complaints from the public that the DAP has not been speaking up on issues in the interest of the people.

Is there anyone out there expecting The Star to make an explanation over the "blackout"?

(18/6/2003)

* Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, DAP national publicity secretary