Two editors from The Star suspended

Editor-in-chief Leanne Goh Lee Yen (left) and executive editor Dorairaj Nadason have been suspended from their duties pending investigations into Saturday’s front page bungle.

(FMT) – Two of The Star daily’s top editors have been suspended following the recent uproar over the front page of its Saturday issue, which featured a picture of Muslims praying alongside a headline on terrorism.

Editor-in-chief Leanne Goh Lee Yen and executive editor Dorairaj Nadason were today suspended from their duties pending investigations into the incident.

According to a report by the daily, Star Media Group managing director and chief executive officer Wong Chun Wai will manage editorial operations for now.

Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the daily was being investigated for sedition.

His statement followed the home ministry’s decision yesterday to issue The Star a show-cause letter.

The ministry gave the daily seven days to explain why action should not be taken against it under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

In a statement, it said the layout could lead to confusion among members of the public, give rise to misunderstandings, and cause prejudice towards Muslims.

It added that the layout had indirectly mocked the religion of Islam.

Dorairaj was one of four editors who had presented themselves at the home ministry yesterday after being summoned to give their statements.

The other three were specialist editor M Shanmugam and executive editors Brian Martin and Rozaid Abdul Rahman.

The Star issued an apology on Sunday, saying it should have been more sensitive towards the feelings of its Muslim readers.

The editors involved have pledged their full cooperation with the relevant authorities in the investigations.