M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor, and author
It came as a shock to me when a lawyer’s company courier personally delivered a Letter of Demand (Defamation) dated 11th July 2024 to me in my house. The same letter was delivered to the editor of Newswav.com at its office. It shocked them too as Malaysia’s leading news aggregator with over 400 contributors.
HRDC lawyers compelled them to withdraw and reject four of my published articles on newswav.com which quoted PAC report and Auditor General’s reports.
On Wednesday (17th July), in a press conference at Parliament, PAC chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin slammed HRD Corp’s threat to sue The Edge, saying the committee took a serious view of the matter. She said PAC viewed the threat as an attempt to put pressure on the media not to publish the committee’s report on HRD Corp.
On the same day, Human Rsources Minister Steven Sim said he instructed the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to withdraw its letter of demand to The Edge over its reporting on the findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the national audit department.
Sim told a press conference at Parliament that he disagreed with HRD Corp taking legal action against the media. Following Sim’s gesture I emailed him and 10 other top officials in the Ministry. Here is my letter:
YB Steven Sim
HR Minister
Newswav writer appeals to Minister to withdraw HRDC’s threatening letter of demand
17th July 2024
Dear Yang Berhormat:
I do not understand why HRDC served me the attached letter of demand (defamation) and Newswav.com. Newswav has withdrawn the articles following their threats. I was threatened in the letter that I would be sued by HRDC’s appointed legal firm.
I am 75, a senior citizen and I thank you for directing HRDC to withdraw the letter to The Edge. Please inform your HRDC board and its lawyers to stop sending letters of demand to blackout the news on the current investigations by PAC, MACC, Auditor General, and a newly appointed auditor.
As a freelancer reporter for Newswav I was merely reporting the findings of PAC and Auditor General’s reports.
I urge you, sir, as HR Minister and the HRDC board’s chairman and directors to withdraw my letter of demand by its lawyers paid by taxpayers money.
I wish to thank you, the Minister who announced in a press conference: “I believe in press freedom in this country. This has always been my principle.” YB Minister Sim, I am glad you disagreed with the actions of HRDC and you believe in media freedom.
PAC chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin had earlier slammed HRD Corp’s threat to sue The Edge, saying the committee took a serious view of the matter.
In my 35 years as a journalist working for The Star, NST, Bernama, CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera, I have never experienced any government agency threatening the media and journalists with legal letters. As a teacher (adjunct professor) and author of eight books (some bestsellers), I have always propagated the quest for truth, and in this case how HRDC abused the taxpayers, and the levy collected estimated at billions of Ringgit.
As a professor in journalism and written journalism textbooks, I have not intended to defame HRDC or its officials or damage their professional reputation.
I wish to urge you, sir, Minister, PAC, and HRDC board of directors and chairman to withdraw my letter of demand.
Thank you
Krishnamoorthy Muthaly
Journalist, adjunct professor, and author
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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