By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — In response to Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s warning yesterday not to turn Teoh Beng Hock’s death into a racial issue, Lim Kit Siang today asked the law minister to target Umno-controlled newspapers instead.
Lim insisted that it was Umno’s publications which have turned the death into a racial issue.
“Does Nazri endorse Zainul Arifin’s communal writings and if not why is there no warning from him to the New Straits Times group and its managing editor?” said Lim in a statement.
“Zainul Ariffin has made a most racist and irresponsible statement, completely unbecoming of a top journalist heading a national daily,” he added.
The Ipoh Timor MP was referring to an article published in the Sunday edition of Berita Harian slamming the critics of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), and accusing them of attempting to undermine Malay institutions.
Zainul, the group managing editor of the New Straits Times group which owns Berita Harian, also asked in his article why Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim would question “those of his own race to act fairly”.
Teoh, a political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead outside Selangor MACC headquarters on July 16, one day after he was called in for questioning.
“I have always regarded MACC, and before this the ACA, as a Malaysian institution and criticised it of any failings not because it is a Malay-controlled institution but because it is a Malaysian institution,” said Lim.
“Is Zainul Arifin suggesting that the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal is a Chinese scandal because three MCA Ministers and four MCA Port Klang Authority chairmen are now implicated in it?” he added.
Lim said the government would have acted differently if such articles were published in Tamil or Chinese newspapers.
“I shudder to think what would happen to Chinese and Tamil newspapers if their editors or writers had played the racial card like Zainul Arifin as their newspaper licences would have been suspended if not revoked immediately?” asked Lim.

written by tony, July 21, 2009
written by Mir, July 21, 2009
written by Mir, July 21, 2009
written by Bee, July 21, 2009
Just let the evil party's media continue to spin racial issue until GE13. This will continuously give PR the issues to explore their evils. Just take care of the unity among PR component party and win over the malay support. The non-malay will take care of themselves and terminate the evil party. Reinforce your influence in Sabah and Sarawak. The rest will be 'history'...the "N" of 50 odd years abuses.
written by StopNonsense, July 21, 2009
written by Mirage, July 21, 2009
written by pat ling, July 21, 2009
written by kopite, July 21, 2009
written by Yang asli, July 21, 2009
As for MB Selangor, what he did was correct and tactful. Looking from his viewing angle, any smart and pro-active leader would have done so.
written by Dulan-Dulan, July 21, 2009
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Zainul Ariffin's article carries seditious message that defies Najib's 1-Malaysia beckoning.
Najib needs to show his hand, Najib's silence mean connivance for Zainul Ariffin's racist stance.
So, Najib, your 1-Malaysia, as many suspected, was a scam and a hoax after all, right?
Najib, either you fire this heartless racist kuat-kuat or you just proved that you never meant to be sincere in your 1-Malaysia bull.
written by deeds not words, July 21, 2009
written by ajajal, July 21, 2009
written by Joel C, July 21, 2009
Study all the high profile cases that MACC has handled hitherto, and you will see how many involves BN goons and how many comes from the opposition. Don't tell me there are more crooks in the opposition than in BN and its scores of component parties!!
written by tony, July 21, 2009
written by malaysian, July 21, 2009
Honestly, why dont you dare to take action on the NST article? Why dont you charge them with Sedition Act or whatever act you deem fit? Why are you not suspending their licenses?
THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE !!!
Anyway, it is absolutely pointless talking to a JOKER like you.
I cannot believe that you are a minister !!! Such a disgrace to Malaysian politics !!!
written by Derek, July 21, 2009
What gives Zainul Ariffin the right and the gall to say that the MACC is a Malay-controlled institution. Already our GLCs are Malay controlled institutions. Does he now also want to claim the MACC, perhaps even the PDRM and the judiciary as Malay property as well. These are public institutions belonging to all the people of Malaysia and these institutions and agencies are constitutionally and duty bound to serve, safeguard and protect the rights of ALL Malaysians. These institutions do not and must not exist to serve the Malays or the Malay agenda alone.
PM Najib should sack the editors of Berita Harian and Mingguan Malaysia or at least admonish them publicly but we know this will not happen because he will be seen as not supportive of the Malay agenda and the Malays’ special position. I daresay NO serving Malay Minister or politician will dare to chide the editors of the Malay controlled media because they may be targeted for being anti-Malay. Politicians are always terrified of alienating the media anyway.
The editors of BH and MM should immediately be charged under the Sedition Act for inciting racial tensions. If they were editors of the Chinese press they would be detained under the ISA immediately and their printing licenses suspended. Again we all know this will not happen. The Sedition Act does not apply to UMNO assets. All right thinking Malaysians of every creed, colour and political affiliation are fed up with this blatant show of double standards. These culprits are not even subtle about it anymore and are just totally arrogant and devoid of ethics.
The silent majority should not let this matter simply pass into history as another case of sudden death like so many other unexplained deaths in official custody. The life of a man in his prime has been tragically extinguished and it doesn't matter whether he be Chinese, Indian or Malay or whether he was a BN or PR man. The MACC must provide the answers and heads must roll for their foul methods. Period.
written by 2525, July 21, 2009
written by Nazri has no balls in him. That's why TDM says that he is useless and should not be in the cabinet!, July 21, 2009
written by sinchew, July 21, 2009
written by wkc, July 21, 2009
written by Between Goblin and Ghost, July 21, 2009
UMNO is trying very very hard to incite Racial Tension by all means after loosing 5 by-election where Malay form the majority. UMNO is trying to secure Power by all means. the compoenets cronies party in BN are puppets try to insulate UMNO from harm.
Come on Nazri, sometimes you seem act like Man but most of times you bahave worst than GOBLIN.
I really do not know why your species got some "Distorted" mind which cannot reason matters our in a proportional ways like normal human being.
This is a case of homocide regardless the race of the victim where all Malaysian got every right to know what actually happen ? It has nothing to do with Race or Religion, it seem there is trend when UMNO controlled newspaper bark, Mahatir also bark simultaneously resemble echo when you shout in the valley between mountain.
written by nasri, July 21, 2009
Can't even identify that government institutions are "by the people and for the people". They are malaysian institutions and not malay institutions. So basic also cannot understand and he expects people to read "news" from his paper.
Those companies which have some sense of social responsibilities should not advertise in this paper.
Stop reading this paper and prevent our mind from being corrupted by junks.
written by Dr. M, July 22, 2009
written by SHNG, July 22, 2009
written by Dharmika, July 22, 2009
You must be dreaming...
Taking actions against these UMNO-controlled racist media is AGAINST Najib's 1Malaysia ,you know...
written by malaysian, July 22, 2009
Still keeping quiet since your last statement?
What happen cat caught your tongue? or are you waiting for instructions from your boss on what to do say next?
Come on, minister of law, do something to NST. NO GUTS!!!
written by valkrie, July 23, 2009
written by Bluemoon, July 24, 2009
written by John Lim, July 27, 2009
Answer is NO! because 1Malaysia is just for show....we need to kick out BN to have real unity and harmony in this country!




