‘Najib, Taib must apologise for embarrassing us’

The fiasco involving government-hired UK consultants FBC Media and television networks BBC, CNN, and CNBC has compromised the integrity of our leaders, claims PKR.

KUCHING: Sarawak opposition has called on Najib Tun Razak and Taib Mahmud to resign following British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) apology for allowing its widely viewed ‘World News’ programme to be used to air “ego-boasting” propaganda material paid for by the Malaysian government.

“Now that the shameful truth has come to light, we call upon the Prime Minister and Chief Minister to also apologise to the people for squandering our money in this delusional ego-boosting exercise.

“They should resign immediately if they possess even an ounce of integrity and self respect, ” said Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian.

He added that it was difficult to believe that Najib and Taib “do not realise that good reputation and respect are to be earned and cannot be bought even if one is wealthier than the Queen of England”.


Bian was commenting on BBC’s apology for airing public relations driven spins on Malaysia which were produced by UK-based FBC Media Ltd.

In August last year, BBC suspended all programming contracts from the FBC, after it was ‘confirmed’ that FBC had received payment to produce and air, as genuine content, at least four documentaries on Malaysia’s palm oil industry and its “treatment of the rainforest and indigenous people”.

BBC in a statement to UK daily The Independent had said that “FBC has now admitted to the BBC that it has worked for the Malaysian government” and received “almost £6 million” (RM28 million) from the Najib administration.

Bian said BBC’s apology was a result of the investigations by online portal Sarawak Report (SR).

Portal vindicated

He added that network’s apology had not only ‘vindicated’ SR but had also proved that Malaysia’s corrupt fingers had tainted the “once hallowed” halls of British journalism.

“BBC’s apology not only vindicates Sarawak Report but also confirms to BBC’s 74 million viewers of World News (programme) that the insidious tentacles of corruption and dirty politics of Sarawak and Malaysia have tainted the once hallowed halls of broadcasting and journalism in the UK.

“What a disgrace and embarrassment for the government and the people of this state and country that we have people of the lowest moral standing who are bankrupt of integrity as our leaders.

“People who believe that money can buy anything and everything (even reputation), and in their greed and arrogance continue to rape and pillage the land and rob the citizens to enrich themselves,” Bian said.

According to the SR, Najib paid RM83.8 million to FBC (between 2008-2010) to spruce up Malaysia’s image, while Taib paid RM15 million per year to FBC to paint an extremely rosy but grossly inaccurate picture of Sarawak under Taib’s rule.

Bian also asked other networks – CNN and CNBC – who had aired similar spins to admit their mistakes by apologise for allowing their journalistic integrity to be compromised by FBC and for airing misleading propaganda disguised as current affairs.


Joseph Tawie | February 15, 2012