Salleh Said: CNA documentary on Malaysia biased

(The Star) – A documentary about Malaysia by Singapore-based Channel News Asia (CNA) is biased because the sources quoted were only from the Opposition, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.

He said the documentary, A Fractured Nation, merely served to portray a bad image of Malaysia.

Salleh said the report did not reflect the real situation in the country, and CNA should have come up with a balanced report by interviewing those who were members of the ruling party.

“The report is clearly one-sided because it only highlights negative things about Malaysia, and CNA interviewed only members of the Opposition.

“CNA’s report on Malaysia Day is unfair, biased and regrettable, and should be rectified.

“It should take into account the views of all parties as the report seems to portray our country is facing a lot of problems which are not true.

“This report clearly shows that they have a point of view or an angle to hurt our country,” Salleh said after attending the distribution of sacrificial meat in conjunction with Hari Raya Haji at Kampung Kesapang about 14km from the northern Kota Belud on Friday.

The CNA documentary featured that while Malaysia Day was supposed to be an occasion to strengthen unity of all Malaysians, it was allegedly taken advantage by certain parties to sow discord and disunity through protests with a racial overtone.

Salleh said that foreign media was determined to spoil the good name of Malaysia with reports based on dubious sources.

“It tries to create the impression that the Prime Minister has made many mistakes,” Salleh added.

He noted that it also appeared to be taking advantage of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s official visit to New York by screening the biased news documentary.

He believed the negative reports were initiated not only by outsiders, but also by a certain group of people in the country.