As expected, the government of the Barisan Nasional has issued a stern warning to the media over the issue involving Ahmad Ismail, the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, who has since been suspended by his party for three years. In reports by Malaysiakini.com and mysinchew.com, the Home Ministry was said to have issued show cause letters asking why action should not be taken against them for their coverage over "a number of political issues" (Malaysiakini.com) The warning was confirmed by the ministry's Publications Control and Al-Quran Texts Unit secretary Che Din Yusof. The publications affected, the Sun, Sin Chew Daily and Suara Keadilan have been given a week to reply and of the three, the Sun was warned for playing up sensitive issues and the Sin Chew for the Ahmad Ismail case.

CIJ executive director Gayathry Venkiteswaran and WAMI chair, Wong Chin Huat condemned the targeting of the journalists and the media and the weak justification by the authorities that the said media were provoking racial sentiments, since Umno has taken action against the leader, Ahmad Ismail.

"It was almost predictable that the government would go after the media after the announcement of Ahmad Ismail's suspension. What is the motivation for the show cause letter? Is it really the fault of the newspapers or is the government of the Barisan Nasional trying to appease sections of the society who may have been unhappy with the suspension order?" they asked.

CIJ and WAMI also call on the National Union of Journalists to make a strong stand to defend the journalists and the publications, and reject the government threats on the media.

"It is disappointing that the NUJ, which represents journalists, has been silent on the continuous bashing of the journalists. The recent death threats against reporters related to the coverage on Ahmad Ismail should push the NUJ to demand for greater safety for journalists," they said, adding that the media fraternity should make a united stand to defend their practices and freedom.

They added that it was urgent to review the laws that allowed discretionary powers to the government to take action against the media and called for a full review of the controls imposed on the media through the laws and administrative procedures.

Statement issued by CIJ and WAMI. For inquiries, call Gayathry at 03 40230772