Centre for Independent Journalism
27C Jalan Sarikei, off Jalan Pahang
53000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 4023 0772
Fax: 03 4023 0769

13 March 2007

Re: Reporting against MPI Code of Ethics

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is seeking clarification on possibly biased reporting from dailies New Straits Times, The Star, Utusan Malaysia and Harian Metro on reports on 9 March 2007 concerning the demolition of Kampung Berembang and the arrest of Tian Chua, a politician from Parti Keadilan Rakyat who was arrested for allegation of murder attempt, while preventing the demolition.

We find it disconcerting that the stories are inconsistent with the code of ethics commissioned by the Malaysian Press Institute (now Foundation), Rules of Reporting no. 1 which demands "accurate, fair and timely news". The following details are missing in the stories, therefore rendering them biased;

• Settlers of Kampung Berembang obtained a court injunction to stop further clearance by the developer, Acmar International and the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), until after court hearing on May 23.

• The settlers were not served numerous "notices". They are challenging the first notice for eviction in court, rendering it void until the court decides otherwise. The settlers were served a second notice in late February, and the demolition took place after about a week.

• The temporary homes for the settlers in Puchong and Jinjang are not within four km of the settler's original homes, as negotiated during a meeting between them and the Selangor state's representatives in late 2006

• The developer's promise of a RM450 monthly allowance per household for settlers until the completion of their low cost housing in 2009, has not materialized.

The Star and NST also breached the second Rules of Reporting in "checking facts and other pieces of information in ensuring accuracy." Both The Star and NST have different version of how Tian Chua's supposed victim escaped being rammed. The Star said the worker leapt to safety. In NST the man was pinned underneath the car. None of the 4 newspapers above carried Tian Chua's rebuttal of the charges of attempted murder upon his release.

CIJ hopes that your outlet will observe ethical journalism and pursue the duty of serving the public first as the foremost guiding principle. This not only protects the public interest, but also helps to maintain and strengthen a newspaper's credibility.

Thank you

Sonia Randhawa
Executive Director