It’s nothing but pure hypocrisy. The local media has gone to town about the billions of Chinese investment successfully brokered by Prime Minister Najib Razak.
But there is no one to ask the tough questions. No one including self-styled red shirts leader Jamal Md Yunos, who turned up at Malaysiakini office to demand an explanation to their funding by American tycoon George Soros.
Not only were they dissatisfied with the explanation and the lack of Malaysian hospitality, they also vowed to tear down a part of the alternative media’s office if Malaysiakini fails to provide proper accounts by Saturday afternoon.
But Jamal has maintained silence over the fact that the Chinese have suddenly offered to buy out failed Malaysian assets linked to 1MDB, pump in billions of dollars, agree to a 20-year repayment term and not ask for a single ringgit in repayment over the next seven years.
Jamal who asked the tough questions when meeting Malaysiakini’s editorial team doesn’t seem to want to probe about China’s real intentions.
But the irony is that instead of questioning Jamal, who has threatened Malaysiakini with violence, the police have formed a special team to investigate the media organisation under a security law.
It’s unclear as to how journalism can go against Parliamentary democracy.
Jamal, who is clearly doing someone’s bidding, has spun a crafty yarn alleging Open Society Foundation’s money is being used by the alternative media and election watchdog Bersih, to topple a democratically elected Prime Minister.
This is far-fetched. It’s in fact the inherent right of every citizen to ask for the resignation of any of their elected representatives. So there is no need for Jamal or the police to be overtly emotional about it.
However insecure the government feels, it cannot condone threats and intimidation against the media.
The police must also ensure tight security at Malaysiakini’s office to prevent any untoward incidences perpetrated by Jamal and his bully boys.
I stand in solidarity with Malaysiakini for their commitment to free flow of information, which opened up the space for democratic discussions on national issues in the country.