Hew says sorry for calling journalists prostitutes
(FMT) – The DAP leader who referred to some journalists as “prostitutes” on his Facebook post apologised over his remark and said he had learnt his lesson from this episode.
In a statement today, DAP national election publicity bureau Chief Hew Kuan Yau said he never intended to embarrass any media practitioner in the country and was only referring to a select few from the mainstream media.
“I strongly believe that media freedom is the cornerstone of a democracy. I thank our friends in the media industry for they have struggled hard under our harsh political climate.
“And I sincerely hope that the Malaysia of tomorrow will have a free press, so it can effectively play its role to scrutinise the powers-that-be,” said Hew.
On Feb 6, Hew had posted on his Facebook the following comment in Chinese: “Our society has recently slammed some teenagers for not having self-respect by prostituting themselves for their material needs. Have we ever thought that there are reporters who have no self-respect and ‘prostitute’ themselves to Barisan Nasional for the same reason?”
His message had caused an uproar and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) hit back on Hew on Monday for his remarks, calling for DAP to take action against him.
In his statement today, he also carried the English translation of his posting:
“Lately, the society has slammed teenagers who indulge in “compensated dating” as having no self-respect in exchange for material gain. At the same time, have it come across your mind that some non-self-respecting reporters, based on the same reasons, are also engaging in “compensated dating” with Barisan Nasional? As a matter of fact, I know, many local correspondences are “enjoying benefits from both sides”. They are willing to act as “hired pen” on behalf of the local Barisan Nasional leaders. They report Pakatan Rakyat’s news with great bias! Freedom of press is an important battlefield for democratic movement. Hence, those local correspondences, I urge those who were involved in “compensated dating” with Barisan Nasional to redeem yourself.”
Following Hew’s apology, DAP’s disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai said the party would not take any action against Hew as the latter had expressed regret over the incident.
Tan also said that the committee has found that Hew did not issue a blanket remark to all journalists and the latter had issued a public clarification on the matter.
“And with Hew’s apology, we hope that the public and the media fraternity would put the matter to rest,” he said.
