Devilish Star heading with two lies in 11 words – call for nation-wide firestorm protest without instant Star online apology


(Media Conference Statement 2 at DAP Ipoh Timur Ops Centre on Friday, 7th March 2008 at 12.30 pm)

The Star headline “Opposition senses victory – Anwar and Kit Siang confident of forming next govt with PAS” today are downright double lies.

This is the Star report (N 12):

PKR and DAP will form next Government , say Anwar and Kit Siang

By AUDREY EDWARDS and CHAN LI LEEN

KUALA LUMPUR: Buoyed by the large crowds at their rallies, opposition parties are now claiming they can win the general election and form the next Government.

PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his DAP counterpart Lim Kit Siang both expressed confidence that their loose coalition, which also includes PAS, had the support of the voters.

In Rembau, Anwar said he was confident the Opposition would win and “our first duty to the people is to bring down oil prices.”
“God willing, we will win on March 8. You tell those Barisan (Nasional) boys we will win,” he saud.

“And when DAP, PKR and PAS win on March 8, we will bring down the oil prices on March 9,” he said at a ceramah yesterday.

In Ipoh, Lim said a strong and powerful wind of change was blowing in the land and he was also confident of the voters’ support.

This, he said, was evident by the mammoth turnout, enthusiastic responses and generous donations of Malaysians at ceramah held in various states.

“The crowd numbered from several thousands to more than 10,000 at the ceramah I attended in Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak and Penang in the past three days,” Lim told reporters yesterday.

“But the question is whether the wind of change rising will be strong and powerful enough on March 8 to make it a day of history and a day of destiny for Malaysia,” Lim added.

There is nothing wrong with the report filed by the Star reporter Chan Li Leen but everything wrong with the heading given by the sub-editor or editor.

I believe as a conscientious reporter, Chan would have filed a fuller report of my media conference yesterday, particularly the most important message, viz:

“Let me advice all BN leaders and candidates: Grow up and accept the ups and downs of the democratic process and stop being spoiled brats when at most the Barisan Nasional is losing two-thirds parliamentary majority and not losing power.”

This important paragraph had been deliberately omitted by the sub-editor or editor as it would have spoiled the devilish plot to concoct the mischievous headline:“Opposition senses victory – Anwar and Kit Siang confident of forming next govt with PAS”.

Neither I nor any DAP leader had ever claimed in the general election campaign that it is possible to topple the Barisan Nasional government on March 8 – as we have consistently maintained that the most that could achieved is the denial of the BN two-thirds parliamentary majority, which is already a tall order and would have historic and far-reaching political implications.

Let the sub-editor or editor responsible for the double lies by using my name to justify the mischievous headline step forward and identify himself – for he is the worst specimen of a journalistic prostitute completely devoid of journalistic ethics and values and must be hounded out of the journalistic profession, although he is devilishly clever in able to concoct two lies within in eleven words: “Anwar and Kit Siang confident of forming next govt with PAS”, viz:

• The first lie, that together with Anwar Ibrahim, I am confident of toppling the BN government on March 8; and

• The second lie, that DAP has an arrangement with PAS to form the next national government.

I call on Star to publish a fulsome apology for these double lies in its headline, which must be done immediately on Star online and not wait until tomorrow. Secondly, the sub-editor or editor responsible for the mischievous and devilish heading must be identified and sacked, unless the Star is giving full support to this ‘biggest lie of Malaysian journalism in the 12th general election.”

If Star is not prepared to immediately apologise within the next two hours (i.e. by 2.30 p.m.) on its online version, there should be a firestorm of protest by outraged Malaysians by phoning Star offices all over the country to condemn such despicable and devilish journalism.

The phone contacts of Star offices nationwide are available from the following:

http://thestar.com.my/info/thestar.asp#address

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  1. #1 by timmytan on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 6:56 pm

    Give Badawi another chance. One full term to change our corrupt culture, our distarded political system, our ingrained racism and deeply worsening security situation, is simply too much to ask.
    For all of BN’s faults, i am thankful everyday that we lead a peaceful and relatively comfortable life in Malaysia.
    Corruption is a scourge, racism is a bane, but what ever did DAP do to show or prove to us that they are ready to lead?
    Dynastic politics, even in Opposition, look at LimKitSiang, KarpalSingh, AnnuarIbrahim. A member of their direct family are all involved in present day politics, candidates in the present election in fact, secretary-general too.
    Frankly, it doesn’t inspire plenty of hope. The opposition leaders are sending a strong message across. Either you are born with opposition genes or their talent pool is simply too small.

  2. #2 by Kasutlama on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 7:02 pm

    NST today was all about BN.

  3. #3 by kcl on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 7:11 pm

    YB Lim….

    You may not know me, but am back from the US two weeks ago to attend many of your ceramahs and give you my fullest support!! I have lived in the US for more than 20 years and am one of the NEP victims then. I believe this election is probably the most important election in our Malaysian history to break the UMNO political hegemony!! I will be seeing you tonight in Ipoh’s final round of campaign before the election tomorrow!! I have even taken in as a polling agent for the DAP!!

    Good luck and “hidup DAP!!!”

  4. #4 by Menang atau mati on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 7:15 pm

    Dear Uncle Lim and all the others out there,

    Not everybody can boycott the mainstream media like the STAR or The TIMES unless there is alternative internet media that covers all kinds of news.

    As for political news ,this is not a problem.

    For news on business matters such as the stock and share market ,sports,employment opportunities and other non- political news there is currently no single internet media to provide comprehensive news.

    A long term sustained boycott of the mainstream media like the STAR is ,in my mind not so feasible for some of us and may not be supported by all.

    However, a short term boycott of a limited period of say 3 – 7 days is feasible as we can do without the paper for a few days.

    I am one of those in the category who cannot sustain a long term boycott of the STAR if there is no alternative internet media that covers all aspects of news that a hard copy paper would normally include.

    .However, I definitely can do without the STAR for a few days without much disturbance to my business.

    This boycott can then be repeated intermittently with the boycott dates being made widely known to the public.

    I am sure on the boycott dates revenues from sales of the paper and the advertisment by businesses will be reduced dramatically ,thus sending out a strong signal to the media concerned to be more responsible in their news reporting.

    I believe it will work.

    Will DAP organise such a boycott?Or will Raja Petra organise it?

    What say you,Uncle Lim as well as all those here?

    Can i have some response from you all?

    Let’s teach these arrogant and irresponsible guys at the STAR a lesson?

    What say you DAP?

    Also allyou guys out there?

  5. #5 by Libra2 on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 7:26 pm

    “..for he is the worst specimen of a journalistic prostitute completely devoid of journalistic ethics and values and must be hounded out of the journalistic profession,..”

    Kit,
    This is the first time in your political career you have used such strong language and justifiably so.
    If I may add. Judging from the reports in the newspapers recently I am inclined to believe that these editors will even be willing to sell their daughters and wives to their political masters in exchange for the perks of office, awards and ringgit.
    Low down human being sell their souls to please their masters.

    They don’t only prostitute themselves but also make a living from the daughters and wives.
    I am angry as you are. As for the female senior reporters, they are no better than high class prostitutes.

  6. #6 by achia3 on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 7:43 pm

    To the many Star addicts…..I was one of them…. before I migrated. That forced to quit buying the Star. Each year it cost me $365 whilst still a ringgit now….close to $400 loh. Safe the money for your family lah or buy yourself something more worthy.

    I only go to the Star for lies and it is entirely free on the internet. I rather read news from Australia.

    GO DAP!!!!!

  7. #7 by pgsilai on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 7:44 pm

    Thanks to limkamput for giving us 23 key points in helping Penangites to make their decision.

    To all 60000 people who attended last night’s ceramah, please turn them into real votes tomorrow!

    Yes..boycott the STAR and switch off the radio too especially while driving, is pain to the ear!

  8. #8 by limkamput on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 8:09 pm

    malaysiaalwaysboleh Says: my goodness. such fanatical support here. is this representative of the opposition support? I shudder to think what the alternative government would be like with people like you.

    What is your problem? What are you afraid of? Are you a rent-seeker now? If not, why are you afraid? Seriously, tell us what are afraid of? Are you enjoying some privileges now that are not readily available to others? Are you having a lucrative contract from the Government that was not subjected to competitive bidding? Are you holding a lucrative position in the Government, GLCs or Statutory Bodies – you know those positions where you just collect your big fat pay at the end of month with all other perks thrown in but there not much to do to begin with? If you are not one of these, then why are you afraid? On the other hand, if you are one of these, then you are in the minority now. Your time is up, you have to get lost because from now, we are going to depend more on merit and genuine eligibility. No rent seekers, no corrupter, no people just sitting around getting big contracts but never do any actual job, no more people holding high positions but have no responsibility and accountability. Got it? So no need to shudder! No surprise there unless you are “kickthebutt”.

  9. #9 by pgsilai on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 8:29 pm

    malaysiaalwaysboleh, I just want to let you know we are not representative of Opposition. We are just very tired of the current Barisan Govt and we want a Change! Enough is enough, you hear that? Faint Heart?

  10. #10 by LadyGodiva on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 8:34 pm

    Limkamput,

    Now you want to kick his butt? Who is next? Learn to be civil, please!

  11. #11 by limkamput on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 8:40 pm

    Well, see what he did to me in another thread. Ok, i don’t know how to spell “hindsight”, so what is the big deal. No quarrel tonight ok. Tomorrow early early we go voting the scumbags out. Bye bye.

  12. #12 by Tantech on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 9:03 pm

    What we can do is:

    1. Making phones calls and convey complaint.
    2. Send faxes to them until their offices are full with papers.

  13. #13 by YF on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 11:41 pm

    when the umno said malaysia is islamic country where all the chinese body gaurd ( money come asso ) MCA & Gerakan this a time to tell them what’s mean of bodygaurd

  14. #14 by harrisonbinhansome on Friday, 7 March 2008 - 11:50 pm

    I stop reading the Star paper long ago being reason of Wong Chun Wai’s bias perspective.

  15. #15 by devilonpois on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 12:04 am

    we want the truth and only the truth…and the truth is out there…

    seems like most of media tv, newspapers etc cover less on opposition…that’s why i am here to read out something….

    cheers, let’s hope everything running fine tomorrow………..

    haha…may be i should wear white t-shift tomorrow…to vote hehe

  16. #16 by yhsiew on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 12:37 am

    I do read The Star and NST, but I do not take what is published by them seriously (for I know they are pro-government). I also read the news at http://www.bernama.com (Malaysian National News Agency). The problem with that website is that you always get good news on Malaysia (hardly any bad news).

    To get “unbiased reliable” information, I surf the following websites:

    http://asia.news.yahoo.com/c/my/
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/ (select International Version)

    The local China Press, which is facts-oriented, is quite OK as well.

    I am a first time “BN turned DAP” voter in today’s general election. I gave up on BN because I noticed that what they do does not match what they say. For example, they said they were fair to all the races. But when I observed carefully, I found that their actions did not reflect what they said.

  17. #17 by chrishan on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 12:45 am

    Ya, lets boycott the star paper. I have already stop reading the star on sunday for more than 6 months and starting from tomorrow I will include the saturday. These 2 days will cost them less rm3.00 revenue. I am still studying how to exclude monday to friday starpaper as I need the business section for stock. Maybe someone can post the stock market info on the internet, the format can be like star or nst. Any taker?

  18. #18 by timmytan on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 1:20 am

    let’s be realistic here. I am an avid reader of the Star and i follow the articles of its editor in chief very closely. i truly believe that the Star is making a concerted effort in factual honest and non-biased reporting, but change takes time, especially in a cocooned society such as ours.
    I agree that the reporting is lop-sided, but its definitely better than the CRAP we get when Dr. M was around. All good things comes to he who waits. Give it a chance and let’s see what happens.

  19. #19 by scorpian6666 on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 1:26 am

    Dap should think seriously about having a rocket newspaper in place of Star, so all those newspaper with coffee addict could have an alternative.

  20. #20 by noaki on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 2:09 am

    i m sure all of us here came across such road side banner, claiming tht voting for opposition will leave your area unattended to by the government made up by the ruling party in majority…i m 1st time voter and i will vote for the opposition…why? how can our government be so childish that, you are not my gang, i dun wan friend u? if they really concern about the ppls, they should juz do it for the ppls, not simply bcoz it’s a opposition area??

    STAR has known for its bias’ness…and they are juz as arrogant as BN…hopesless papes, hopeless party!

  21. #21 by Jong on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 8:48 am

    kickbutt,

    Stop your nonsence of picking on others and their spelling mistakes. That was unnecessary. This is a blog, not an English class. As long as you are being understood, that should be fine.

    Even if you want to correct limkamput, do it nicely. I’m sure he doesn’t mind being corrected but you are most rude! Enough, grow up man! Keep changing handles but you are still as despicable!

    Keep changing handles, coward!

  22. #22 by ktteokt on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 8:51 am

    Noaki, if what BN says is true, then it means any constituency landing in the hands of the opposition not only makes the constituency a “black district” unattended by the ruling government but it also means the constituency DOES NOT BELONG to Malaysia. So are they ready to forego collecting taxes from the people of such constituencies? And are they ready to lose the support of such constituencies in coming GE’s?

  23. #23 by Bigjoe on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 9:21 am

    It is legitimate to ask how the opposition is going to work with BN on issues. Because Badawi who is already seen to be weak, does not have the skills to NOT seen to be working with the opposition.

    After this election, the fight has only started.

  24. #24 by limkamput on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 11:17 am

    Jong says: kickbutt…. Keep changing handles, coward!

    Jong,
    You brighten my day. Just came back from exercising my constitutional rights.

    Kickbutt,
    Sometimes I wonder why some people can be so blatantly despicable. Why bother to come here to talk about fairness, transparency and accountability when they can’t even be honest with themselves – like for example, being truthful with the handles they use. At least BN never cheat themselves; they just cheat the rakyat. This fellow, kickbutt @come2papi @darkhorse @godiva @colonel @godamn @diaperhead @blackeye @laifoong @dracula cheats himself/herself everyday!

    I am amazed at the amount of energy he spent doing all these nonsense just to harass me instead of thinking and writing something substantive. Hello, kickbutt, my challenge to you still stands. You write me three paragraphs on any of the issues highlighted here. We shall debate about it. If I find you good and credible, I shall take my leave from this blog for a period of time just to watch you contributing. You have my word, because I am not a coward. Come on, take the challenge, it is only from someone who does not know how to spell “hindsight”. Our famous QC spelt “credibility” with “curability”. But I understood him even before he put up the correction. We type quickly and with auto spell software, certain words just get skewed into something else without us realising it. Kickbutt, if you have nothing left to debate with me or to contribute to this blog, please don’t resort to petty insults because that is what BN does best. In Chinese language there is term called “seow ren”. You fit into this term, every inch of it! If you don’t understand, I suggest you ask Earnest. He is a Chinese scholar, much much better than many Chinese speaking bloggers here.

  25. #25 by lopez on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 12:10 pm

    It takes a thief to catch a thief, the malaysians newspaper either wholly or partly owned by whoever are at the mercy of the BN cronies , just like in all malaysian life.

    All form of media ” tells” only things good about BN never any thing sorry.
    It also tells us what we must do, what we must not do or ELSE…

    Blackmailing is a both an art and science in BN’s bollehland.

    You dont pay you dont pass the toll gate,
    you dont grease up the little napoleans you get the whole book thrown at you… word by word.
    You not Bum mee , you dont share the cake.

    You make me happy , I think about it.
    You give trouble , I remove you or get out.

  26. #26 by limkamput on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 12:17 pm

    timmytan Says: let’s be realistic here. I am an avid reader of the Star and i follow the articles of its editor in chief very closely. i truly believe that the Star is making a concerted effort in factual honest and non-biased reporting, but change takes time, especially in a cocooned society such as ours…..definitely better than the CRAP we get when Dr. M was around….

    I think you are talking nonsense. The Star is not just a government regulated paper, it is also a vested interest controlled paper, i.e even private parties can exercise influence over the issues the newspaper should highlight or suppress. Nowadays, I think NSTP has more b*lls than the Star.

    We need more time to change? Isn’t this UMNO, MCA and Gerakan have been saying. Ya, so how much more times do we need, another 50 years? We should have changed yesterday – the government, the newspapers and every damn thing.

  27. #27 by limkamput on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 12:29 pm

    timmytan Says: let’s be realistic here. I am an avid reader of the Star and i follow the articles of its editor in chief very closely.

    You are right, which means you are wrong! I used to be avid reader of the Star too, but that was when I was young and naive. You know what, if you continue to read the Star for another 10 years, seriously, your intelligence, perceptive ability and discernment will go down the drain. That is what I have been telling many young people nowadays. The Star must change, not we change for the Star. The Star must make the right choice now, otherwise in 10 years, it is history. Tell me how many Malays buy the Star other than Government. We can’t be supportive of the newspaper who continues to collude and abuse us. The Star can’t even write good and proper English nowadays.

  28. #28 by bystander on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 1:02 pm

    The Star cannot be non-biased. its MCA mouthpiece. Wake up man

  29. #29 by limkamput on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 3:24 pm

    Bystander, I am talking to someone who thinks the Star is a fair and even keel paper. That to me is nonsense and that is the argument. I don’t mind people coming here telling us that the Star have no choice but to behave the way it does. We will understand because employees of the STAR need to earn a living and the shareholders need to earn return of their investment.
    But I still feel that the paper must be a little more forceful in asserting its independence despite the adverse circumstances. It is difficult I know.

  30. #30 by sammyvellu on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 4:24 pm

    I’ve stopped buying star. If another million ppl does the same, mulpha will go bust

  31. #31 by bystander on Saturday, 8 March 2008 - 6:31 pm

    What independence. Datuk WongCW has sold his soul to UMNO for wealth and comfort.

  32. #32 by kickbutt on Sunday, 9 March 2008 - 4:23 am

    ‘The Star can’t even write good and proper English nowadays.” limkamput aka Lebai Kamal bin Put

    As if you can! Muahaha..haha

  33. #33 by laurencetay on Sunday, 9 March 2008 - 5:33 am

    Congratulation!!! DAP had win the 12th general election (28 seats).

  34. #34 by limkamput on Sunday, 9 March 2008 - 8:18 am

    Kickbutt, in case you missed this, please read slowly because you have lousy english.
    Sometimes I wonder why some people can be so blatantly despicable. Why bother to come here to talk about fairness, transparency and accountability when they can’t even be honest with themselves – like for example, being truthful with the handles they use. At least BN never cheat themselves; they just cheat the rakyat. This fellow, kickbutt @come2papi @darkhorse @godiva @colonel @godamn @diaperhead @blackeye @laifoong @dracula cheats himself/herself everyday!

    I am amazed at the amount of energy you spent doing all these nonsense just to harass me instead of thinking and writing something substantive. Hello, kickbutt, my challenge to you still stands. You write me three paragraphs on any of the issues highlighted here. We shall debate about it. If I find you good and credible, I shall take my leave from this blog for a period of time just to watch you contributing. You have my word, because I am not a coward. Come on, take the challenge, it is only from someone who does not know how to spell “hindsight”. Our famous QC spelt “credibility” with “curability”. But I understood him even before he put up the correction. We type quickly and with auto spell software, certain words just get skewed into something else without us realising it. Kickbutt, if you have nothing left to debate with me or to contribute to this blog, please don’t resort to petty insults because that is what BN does best. In Chinese language there is term called “seow ren”. You fit into this term, every inch of it! If you don’t understand, I suggest you ask Earnest. He is a Chinese scholar, much much better than many Chinese speaking bloggers here.

  35. #35 by orangkpg on Monday, 17 March 2008 - 2:17 pm

    It is time to make a change that makes a difference; change acceptable to every one regardless of race and religion; change that calls for moderation and “real positive change”. The opportunity has “arrived”. Show that you can make the difference and compromise if needs to. You have 4 years to test your capability. If you change for the sake of change and care not to make a difference, you may face the same fate as the BN when the next general election comes. Don’t disappoint the voters.

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