Online portal distorted Najib’s speech, says MCA sec-gen
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA secretarygeneral Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said an online news portal has reported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s speech on Malaysia Day without proper context.
He said Najib’s speech during the Malaysian Chinese Patriotic Rally at the Putra World Trade Centre should have been read in its entirety to understand the message.
“It is unfortunate that, once again, an online news agency deems it fit to discredit the PM’s speech delivered during the momentous occasion of Malaysia Day.
“Clearly, the title of the report was intended to sensationalise and designed to provoke readers’ discontent and resentment against Najib.
“Najib’s speech should be read in its entirety, in the full context, and not just based on selected excerpts,” Ong said in a statement.
The online report had reported Najib as saying that the Chinese would be the first to be targeted if there was no peace in the country.
Ong said Najib was stressing the nation’s fight against terrorism and warned that if the nation’s peace and stability were destroyed by undesirable elements such as the Islamic State (IS), everyone in the country would suffer.
“Unfortunately, the (particular) online media had reported the prime minister’s out of context, deliberately pinpointing certain words, in its mischievous title.
“(It gave the impression that since) many Chinese Malaysian are engaged in commercial activities, coupled with the fact that a majority of them are non-Muslims, the community faces a relatively larger risk because the Islamic State (IS) and other terrorists have targeted nonMuslims.
“It is not only in Malaysia, but also in the Middle East, Europe and the Philippines that IS has declared and launched attacks and targeted mostly nonMuslims.”
He said Najib was emphasising the importance of stability, peace and the key role taken by the Federal Government to safeguard national security.
“Regrettably, certain online media distorted, made selective references and reported the prime minister out of context. This appears to be an attempt to fabricate a wrong impression of the prime minister, as if he is threatening the Chinese community.”
Ong said Najib’s presence — together with the Chinese businessmen, guilds, associations and non-governmental organisations — was an affirmation and recognition of the success of the community.
“It acknowledges the contributions of the Chinese Malaysian towards nation-building, in ensuring growth and prosperity.
“However, the online media appears to have opted to omit mentioning this fact and, instead, tried to distort facts, plays with words to mislead readers and the Chinese community, so that readers mistakenly believe that Najib was threatening the community.
“This is not the first time it sensationalises and reports misleading news.
“News agencies should uphold integrity and professionalism rather than deviate from facts to mislead readers.
“But this is the consistent style of the media, so we are not surprised. We cannot stop this unprofessional behaviour, but we urge readers to understand the truth, and to not be misled by the erroneous reporting.”