Star trumpets BN's polls preparations


The Star provided overwhelming coverage and favourable commentary on the Barisan Nasional’s preparations for the General Elections in comparison to its coverage of other political parties during the week monitored (15-22 Feb). It portrayed the BN’s election machinery as ready and confident in taking on any electoral challenge by high-profile candidates from both PAS and Keadilan, especially in the northern states of ah and Perlis.

Moreover, PAS is portrayed as promoting an unsavouy kind of politics, ie politicizing religion and undermining political stability and unity in the country whereas the BN’s way is the more rational and moderate approach. Keadilan, on the other hand, is portrayed as a spent force.

The week began with front-page coverage of Abdullah Badawi’s “war against corruption”, following the arrests of two high profile individuals in the previous week. Stating that it was not an election gimmick” but “work [that] a responsible government had to carry out,” the PM claimed the support of the people judging from the positive feedback reported in the media.

Later in the week (17 Feb), former Malacca chief minister Rahim Tamby Chik went further. He suggested that Abdullah Badawi’s credentials and personal drive to increase the transparency of the government’s administrative structure would sway opposition party members, “especially those from PAS”, to join UMNO.

Paper promotes "feel-good factor"

The “feel good” factor towards Abdullah Badawi was highlighted once again in a Star feature article on Feb 15 by Joceline Tan. Here, the PM was reported as presenting “a bold and exciting list of candidates who can help him realize his agenda for the country, ” which included higher standards of accountability and transparency. In another event held in Ipoh, the PM is quoted as saying that Barisan elected representatives must be fair to all races because their actions and decisions were constantly being judged.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak also gave personal assurances to the Chinese community that under-enrolled National-type Chinese schools would not be closed down, adding further that this was achieved through “the Barisan way” of discussions (16 Feb). Adding to the impression that the interests of the Chinese community are being looked after was the allocation by MCA president Ong Ka Ting a few days later of RM55 million for upgrading 452 New Villages (predominantly peopled by the Chinese)

Rafidah: "Our human rights record rivals developed nations"

At the launching of the MIC election machinery for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri Wings (16 Feb), UMNO Wanita chief Radifah Aziz was reported in The Star as criticizing voters who took the side of the Opposition political parties because they “do not understand the Barisan’s agenda for progress." She said their dissatisfaction was irrelevant as they do not quite see “the bigger picture” of fruits of development such as schools, jobs and prosperity.

At the above event, when queried about the importance of the “bread-and-butter” concerns to young voters, Rafidah was reported to have said, “Barisan has always given much attention to matters of justice. Our human rights record even rivals some developed countries.” There was no follow-up commentary on this claim nor any attempt to seek opposing views.

In an article on 18 February, the paper reported that the transfer of three municipal council employees in the PAS-led state of Terengganu simply because they were seen having coffee with the state BN chairman was illustrative of the party’s paranoid behaviour. Again, there was no space given to a reply from the municipality.