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Folks

NST learning the corporate culture of Bukit Aman.

That is: Management by Fear.

Reminiscent of UMNO political culture transfered to a media organisation

What kind of newspaper is this?

Bloody disgrace to called a MALAYSIAN newspaper.

hmmm...nothing new here. since when anything controlled by the govt have been original and good? oops my bad...the "Malaysia/UMNO boleh" spirit is the original thing by the govt. but lousy though.

I suppose readers here are probably going to take down an organization that has been known to "scalp" (learned the term from BBC itself...hehe) politcians and powerful buggers in England itself. Our newsroom is only interested in scalping minor fishes but nothing major. hmmm...juz have to wait and see...

How other views this...

By Leslie Lau
The Straits Times

THE New Straits Times announced yesterday that its group editor would be leaving his post, a move which comes amid pressure from within Umno to appoint a Malay to the job.

Mr Brendan Pereira will officially relinquish his job on Dec 31, after helming the ruling party-controlled daily for just over a year.

The newspaper said in a statement yesterday that Mr Syed Nadzri Syed Harun will take over as group editor-designate on Dec 1.

The Straits Times understands that Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi approved Mr Pereira's departure after considering the pressure from within Umno.

He announced the decision at the party's Supreme Council meeting here yesterday, although the issue was not discussed.

The announcement came ahead of Umno's general assembly later this month, where criticisms against the newspaper and Mr Pereira are anticipated.

Mr Pereira's position had been openly criticised at the party assembly as early as last year.

A senior Umno official told The Straits Times that it had become clear that some quarters within Umno took issue with the fact that Mr Pereira, a non-Malay, was the head of an Umno newspaper.

'A groundswell has been building up. There is a feeling among the party faithful that the NST should be a Malay-led newspaper,' said the source.

'It was decided then to take Mr Pereira out of the equation.'

Mr Pereira's replacement, Mr Syed Nadzri, is now the deputy group editor, and has been with NST since 1979.

Mr Pereira, who was formerly the Malaysia Bureau Chief for The Straits Times, joined NST in 2004 as executive editor, in a move which was aimed at boosting the paper's professionalism and regaining its credibility and readership.

Under his leadership, the NST took a harder-edged editorial stance in covering sensitive social issues, such as race relations and religion.

The newspaper had also published stories critical of some government leaders, including some in Umno.

In recent months, Mr Pereira and Datuk Kalimullah Hassan, the deputy chairman of the newspaper, have been singled out as targets by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his feud with PM Abdullah.

Tun Dr Mahathir has labelled the two as Datuk Seri Abdullah's henchmen, and accused them of using the newspaper to demonise him.

These issues have raised concerns within the party, giving rise to the view that Datuk Seri Abdullah had decided to act to avoid a row at the annual meeting over leadership of the NST.

Guess who is not promoting the 'culture of fear'? What a hypocrite!

Guess who is now promoting the 'culture of fear'? What a bloody hypocrite!

Oho, a gag order!

- MENJ

I am not a fan of the NST, and do not think much of what has been going on in it lately, but to be fair, what's wrong with the gaga order?

If your company is 'under attack', and is considering legal action against the attacker[s], is it too much to required that your own employees does not undermine the company by making unauthorised statements, with or without malicious intent?

To me it's rather simple.

A press which can't even allow its employee's freedom of speech - you can't actually hope more of its integrity of news report.

I think it is more than that:
1. The gag order is normal as any corporate guys facing such a situation will issue such orders internally. No great shakes.

2. I think Brenden's departure could also be because of UMNO pressure (as stated in the Straits Times) and the plagiarism saga may have been used as an excuse to get rid of him. I believe, TDM still have a lot of support within UMNO and Brenden has been a thorn to TDM. This is the best time to get rid of him by TDM supporters within UMNO. Although Brenden is spin-doctoring for AAB, he has to be let go because AAB has no choice...there are too many supporters of TDM who wants to get rid of this thorn in the behind. Look also at the fact that UMNO (as a group and not AAB and cronies) is NOT taking any action against TDM for all the berating and negative critizing of the AAB Adminstration. He is even allowed to retain his advisory role to Petronas, Proton and others. This is a sign of weakness of AAB that he is losing control. The elections is coming soon and AAB simply cannot risk splitting his support now. UMNO (AAB rather, I believe) is saying it is out of respect for the Tun that they are not taking action against him for now, is to me just a saving face stance for AAB. Perhaps the Tun have greater support in UMNO than we all might have been led to think.

I have my doubts about the reasons given by Singapore's Straits Times for the resignation of BP. These may well be true but does not hold water amid the allegations of plagiarism. People tend to believe the plagiarism angle.

What's so surprising about a gag order? Last I heard it's pretty common, especially when the related companies are in the mist of preparing legal battles n stuff. 'cause whatever that their staff or employee might say can be used against them in court, and nobody wants to lose in a court battle, right?

If Brendan did not publish the controvesial article, nobody would have known what happened inside NST on issues dealing with employees. Is this what Brendan try to do to release his anger or asking for helps from the community?

The Strait Time seemed to suggest the UMNO agenda is causing Brendan unhappy (or is Brendan unhappy about it?)

Perhaps one day we would hear from Brendan directly to clarify his stand. Or else he is really embrassing to himself, NST, Malaysian and the world, for what he did.

Oh dear...how much deeper can the nst sink?

after not having the guts to admit wrongdoing, now gag order...oh dear, oh dear

I would agree with the gag order, since NST is going to court any comments from their employees can be used as against them in court. So the best way for these people to comment on the issue is to offer themselves as witnesses in court for either NST's side or even BBC's side.

Now that's how we practice free speech and justice!

NSTP will not carry through its threat to sue BBC on this issue.It's a knee-jerk reaction and face-saving posture. In time, the issue will just fade away. I bet one nasi kandar lunch on it.Any takers?