New Straits Times
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2008-07-13T16:24:18Z
Xmen24
7464439
/* Political control and controversy */
{{distinguish2|[[The Straits Times]], the Singaporean newspaper}}
{{Infobox Newspaper |
name = [[Image:NstLogo2005.gif|''The New Straits Times'']] |
image = [[Image:NST Malaysia frontpage.jpg]]|
caption = |
type = Daily [[newspaper]] |
format = [[Tabloid]] |
owners = [[Media Prima]] |
publisher = [[New Straits Times Press]] |
editor = [[Hishamuddin Aun]] |
foundation = [[July 15]] [[1845]] (as ''The Straits Time''<br>[[1965]] (as the ''New Straits Times'')|
ceased publication = |
political = Right of centre,<br />pro-government|
language = [[English language|English]]|
price = [[Malaysian ringgit|RM]]1.20|
headquarters = Balai Berita 31, Jalan Riong,<br>59100 [[Bangsar]],<br>[[Kuala Lumpur]]<br>{{MYS}}. |
circulation = 200,000 |
ISSN = |
website = [http://www.nst.com.my/ nst.com.my] |
}}
The '''''New Straits Times''''' is a [[Malaysia]]n [[English-language]] [[newspaper]]. It is Malaysia's oldest newspaper still in print (though not the first), having been founded as ''[[The Straits Times]]'' in [[1845]], and was reestablished as the "''New Straits Times''" in 1965. The paper served as Malaysia's only [[broadsheet]] format English language newspaper. However, following the heels of British newspapers ''[[The Times]]'' and ''[[The Independent]]'', a [[tabloid]] version first rolled off the presses on [[1 September]] [[2004]] and since [[18 April]], [[2005]], the newspaper is published only in tabloid size, ending a 160-year-old tradition of broadsheet publication. The ''New Straits Times'' currently retails at [[Malaysian ringgit|RM]]1.20 (~36 [[United States dollar|USD]] [[Cent (currency)|cent]]s).
The ''New Straits Times'' is printed by the [[New Straits Times Press]], which also produces the English language afternoon newspaper, ''[[The Malay Mail]]'', as well as assorted [[Malay language]] newspapers, most notably the ''[[Berita Harian]]''. The ''New Straits Times'' is part of [[Media Prima Berhad|Media Prima]] group of companies.
The current Group Editor of the ''New Straits Times'' is Syed Nadzri Syed Harun, while Kamrul Idris Zulkifli is acting Deputy Group Editor. Executive Editors, as of [[January 1]] [[2007]], include KP Waran, Lim Thow Boon, Rajan Moses and P'ng Hong Kwang.
== Origins ==
The paper was originally founded as ''[[The Straits Times]]'' and covered all of what was then [[British Malaya]], and [[Singapore]], where it was based. This continued when [[Singapore in Malaysia|Singapore became part of Malaysia]] in [[1963]], but upon its departure from the Federation in [[1965]], a separate paper published and based in Malaysia, the ''New Straits Times'', was established, whilst ''The Straits Times'' has continued publication in Singapore. Owing to political sensitivities, newspapers from one country cannot be sold in the other, hence the ''Straits Times'' is not sold in Malaysia, and the ''New Straits Times'' is not sold in Singapore.
== Political control and controversy ==
The ''New Straits Times'' has been accused of serving as a [[propaganda]] tool for the government and its proxy owner, the [[United Malays National Organisation]] (UMNO). One critic has claimed that the newspaper "is now nothing more than an UMNO Newsletter." <ref>Merican, Din & Musa, M. Bakri (2006). [http://www.bakrimusa.com/archives/the-bold-and-the-predictable-exchanges-with-din-merican "The Bold and The Predictable - Exchanges with Din Merican"]. Retrieved March 13, 2006.</ref> Though publicly listed on the [[Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange]], the ruling Malaysian political party [[UMNO]] holds a golden vote and decides all policies, and the newspaper has a tradition of appointing editors sympathetic to the government of the day. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} Its last editor, [[Abdullah Ahmad]] (not to be confused with the prime minister [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]) was sacked shortly after the retirement of former prime minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]]. The public reason given was that he had written an article which offended [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]] authorities (Saudi Arabia is one of Malaysia's close allies), but it has been claimed that he was felt to be biased towards Mahathir and against Najib (currently Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister), although a few months before Mahathir resigned he attempted to change loyalties in an abrupt about-face to suit the new political climate. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
[[Rehman Rashid]] has been reinstated as associate Editor, having been fired from the paper in May [[2003]] for refusing to ghostwrite for the aforementioned Abdullah Ahmad. The former Group Editor in Chief of the NST was Datuk Kalimullah Hassan @ Riong Kali, who insisted that his would be the last appointment to the position to be made directly by politicians. Despite the common perception that he is pro-Government, Kalimullah @ Riong Kali was a popular editor as he took a very hands-on approach to his job, even writing some front page articles. However, he is also accused of being overly sycophantic to his political masters and intolerant of those who do not share his views. He continues to participate in the paper's workings in an advisory capacity. Kalimullah @ Singapore spy appointed his successor, Datuk Hishamuddin Aun, in late 2005. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
Following accusations that he plagiarised ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' columnist [[Mitch Albom]] on October 2006,<ref name="PlagarismRow">{{cite web |url=http://www.jeffooi.com/2006/10/how_we_miss_brendan_by_50_albo.php |title= How we dearly miss Brendan by 50 Albom days |accessdate=08-03-2007 |author=[[Jeff Ooi|Ooi, Jeff]] |date=2006-10-31 |publisher=Screenshots }}</ref><ref name="PlagarismRow2">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6108666.stm |title= Malaysia editor in plagiarism row |accessdate=08-03-2007 |author=Kent, Jonathan |date=02/11/2006 |publisher=[[BBC News Online]] }}</ref> Brendan Pereira resigned as Group Editor in December 31, 2006, succeeded by Syed Nadzri Syed Harun. The newspaper however, asserted that his resignation had been agreed upon a fortnight before the column in which the alleged plagiarism had occurred. To this end, the newspaper demanded a retraction of the report made in on BBC's website but a compromised was reached with the BBC and the report is now footnoted with a clarification that "it was not intended to convey the meaning Mr Brenden Pereira was leaving the New Straits Times Group because he was guilty of plagiarism".
Though plagiarism is rife in the Malaysian mainstream media, Brendan Pereira was the only high-profile journalist brought to book. There is a study underway to detail all works of local plagiarism and ghostwritten works dating back to 1980. It will be published as a thesis in a major university soon.{{Who|date=July 2008}}
== Incorporated sections ==
=== ''Business Times'' ===
The paper has for some years incorporated the ''Business Times'', expanding its business section and increasing its appeal among businessmen. http://www.btimes.com.my
=== ''Property Times'' ===
First published in May 1995, the ''Property Times'' is a pull-out section in the New Straits Times, every Saturday. It focuses on introducing the property market and home decoration tips. http://properties.emedia.com.my
==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.nst.com.my/ Official ''New Straits Times'' web site]
[[Category:English-language newspapers]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Publications established in 1965]]
[[ms:New Straits Times]]
[[zh:新海峡时报]]