Ismail blames emcee for barring non-Malay reporters at Umno meeting

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 15 Jul 2019 12:30PM · 5 Comments

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob has blamed the emcee at the Lembah Pantai Umno division meeting for evicting non-Malay reporters from covering the event. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 15, 2019.

UMNO vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob blamed the emcee at the Lembah Pantai Umno division meeting for evicting non-Malay reporters from covering the meeting.

The emcee’s remarks were “inappropriate”, he told reporters at Parliament’s lobby today.

“He should have asked the people without passes to leave as it was a closed-door meeting. But when he said those words, it was sensitive and I understand that the media is sensitive to these things,” the opposition leader said.

Umno’s Lembah Pantai division is accused of evicting non-Malay reporters from covering its annual general meeting yesterday.

The reporters were allegedly turned away as the event was a “Malay conference” and only Malays were allowed to cover it.

The Bera MP also said that not all Umno divisions allowed the media to cover the speeches at their annual meetings.

“There are divisions that don’t allow the media to cover the opening speeches.

“Sometimes the speakers will say that they don’t want their speeches reported and give a press conference later because the media could give an out-of-context report.

“And when the media’s report is out in the public, it creates a polemic,” said Ismail.

Ismail said he was only there as an invited guest to officiate the meeting.

“It’s not whether I approve of the barring reportage or not. But if it’s a closed door event, it has to be respected and only those with passes should be allowed to be inside,” said Ismail.

On the question of it being a “Malay” conference, Ismail said that Umno meetings usually discussed issues pertinent to Malays. – July 15, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Don't blame the emcee, you were there, you were not blind. Just be honest and not be a hypocrite. Anyway all the non-Malays in your constituency will never vote for you again.

    Posted 6 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • A racist will always be a racist unless he is charge n put to jail.

    Posted 6 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • Ismail Sabree...your words betray you

    Posted 6 years ago by Julian Nagelsmann · Reply

  • It's a racist party, what do we expect from them anyway?

    Posted 6 years ago by Butter Scotch · Reply

  • UMNO for Malays Only. I think my personal opinion Let the Malays Die Among Themselves why we Non Malay want to Bother abt the Morons. NON MALAYS HV GOD 's POSITIVE ENERGY WITH US ANYHOW WE NON MALAYS WILL HAIL. Chk yourself Close Door Meeting People where u all are Today. CORRUPTION IS UR BOSS LIES IS UR RELIGION According to Hadi Lies is Halal. TRUTH WILL ALWAYS WIN IN THE END. It takes TIME but will Surely PREVAIL.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply