Will 'Humble Ant' allow Star to shine?

Liau Kok Fah, Wong Chin Huat
Apr 15, 10

The Civil Rights Committee of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and Writers Alliance for Media Independence urge newly-elected MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek not to forget his 'Humble ant' election manifesto.

He should deliver on his election promises as soon as possible, specifically announcing a time line to guarantee editorial independence of The Star English daily newspaper.

His 'Humble ant' election manifesto had clearly pledged to 'professionally manage key assets such as The Star, to allow editorial independence and self-governance to succeed on its own accord'.

We are glad that Chua has acknowledged the importance of media professionalism rather than treating the media industry as organ of political parties.

Thus, if he can materialise his election promise, he will definitely win the approval of the public.

We believe that if Chua allows The Star to practice editorial independence and self-governance, it will serve as the role model and eventually propel other BN coalition members - for instance Umno - to do the same.

Umno may eventually be forced to allow Utusan Malaysia to exercise editorial independence, self-governance and professionalism instead of just being a tool of the party.

Liau Kok Fah is chairpers of the Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall while Wong Chin Huat is president Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami).