Hush in lobby after media ban
The Star (25/6/08): The lobby at Parliament House had always bustled with activity, but yesterday it was silent. Journalists were barred from the main part of the lobby, and were only allowed access to a small corner of the area.
Surprised pressmen were greeted by red tape cordoning off the lobby as they entered Parliament yesterday morning.
Security personnel standing guard told reporters that they had been issued a directive to keep the press away from the lobby.
As a sign of protest, the journalists refused to attend any of the press conferences held yesterday.
MPs were also taken by surprise.
Salahuddin Ayub (PAS – Kubang Kerian), Khalid Abd Samad (PAS – Shah Alam) and even Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen tried to hold press conferences, but their requests were politely declined.
Committee meetings chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim’s press conference were only covered by national news agency Bernama and RTM.
Sensing the frustration of the pressmen, the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club members decided to take matters into their own hands and remove the barricade.
Club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said they did not consult the Parliament administration, nor did they get permission from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
“The administration did not inform us of the ban, so we need not tell them we are removing the barricade,” he said.
R. Sivarasa (PKR – Subang), Tian Chua (PKR – Batu), Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR – Lembah Pantai), Jeff Ooi (DAP – Jelutong) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP – Segambut) went to the media centre to give press conferences but were turned down.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said he believed the press should have the right access and facilities to be able to carry out their duties properly.
“If they don't get the right access to the right information, then they will not be able to do a proper job, which will be worse.
“I think the Government and its relevant agencies should talk to the press. But, I urge the press to not boycott. Try to be patient. You all have an important duty to do,” he said yesterday.
Surprised pressmen were greeted by red tape cordoning off the lobby as they entered Parliament yesterday morning.
Security personnel standing guard told reporters that they had been issued a directive to keep the press away from the lobby.
As a sign of protest, the journalists refused to attend any of the press conferences held yesterday.
MPs were also taken by surprise.
Salahuddin Ayub (PAS – Kubang Kerian), Khalid Abd Samad (PAS – Shah Alam) and even Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen tried to hold press conferences, but their requests were politely declined.
Committee meetings chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim’s press conference were only covered by national news agency Bernama and RTM.
Sensing the frustration of the pressmen, the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club members decided to take matters into their own hands and remove the barricade.
Club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said they did not consult the Parliament administration, nor did they get permission from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
“The administration did not inform us of the ban, so we need not tell them we are removing the barricade,” he said.
R. Sivarasa (PKR – Subang), Tian Chua (PKR – Batu), Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR – Lembah Pantai), Jeff Ooi (DAP – Jelutong) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP – Segambut) went to the media centre to give press conferences but were turned down.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said he believed the press should have the right access and facilities to be able to carry out their duties properly.
“If they don't get the right access to the right information, then they will not be able to do a proper job, which will be worse.
“I think the Government and its relevant agencies should talk to the press. But, I urge the press to not boycott. Try to be patient. You all have an important duty to do,” he said yesterday.
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