‘The Star’ should have been more sensitive, says minister

PUTRAJAYA: The Star should have been more sensitive in managing the perception of its Muslim readers.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said although the paper never intended to offend its Muslim readers with its controversial May 27 front page, it should, nevertheless, been more alert.

“There are many angles to it,” Wee said.

“Some readers may be observant and read every line.

“Some may not feel anything. Some readers may read it and just see the big headline and the picture first.

So, we can’t just make a general statement,” he said commenting on the matter, which saw two of the newspaper’s editors being suspended indefinitely.

In the context of Malaysia, Wee urged everyone to be more sensitive towards each other, especially when it comes to religious sensitivity.

“So, putting picture of Muslims praying with an unrelated story on terrorism on The Star’s front page was an important lesson learnt, he said here yesterday.

Wee, who is the MCA deputy president, said the party leadership would leave it to the top management of the newspaper to sort out the matter.

On Monday, the Home Ministry gave the newspaper seven days to respond to a show-cause letter over its front page last Saturday.

It showed a picture of Muslims performing terawih prayers sandwiched between the headline “Malaysian terrorist leader” and a spa advertisement.

Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim was quoted as saying that the badlyplaced headline painted a poor image of Muslims, as though those performing the prayers were terrorists.

In Kota Baru, Pas vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah believed The Star had a hidden motive for publishing the front page.

“The newspaper should not have published such a front page as it had hurt the feelings of Muslims.

“The picture gives a negative impression on Muslims and the country.

“Pas hopes The Star will be more careful in the future,” said Amar, who is also Kelantan deputy menteri besar, yesterday.

Meanwhile, police have recorded the statements of five editors and a photographer from The Star over the issue.

The editors and photographers arrived at the Bukit Aman police headquarters about noon yesterday and were questioned separately for about two hours.

Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, who represented the six, said they had been cooperative with the police.

Amer said he was informed that the six are being investigated under Section 4 of the Sedition Act and Section 298A of the Penal code, for causing disharmony, disunity, or feeling of enmity, hatred or ill-will, or prejudicing etc, the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.