Adenan defends Dr Annuar over Malaysiakini report

According to Sarawak CM, Annuar’s words were twisted by the journalist.

(FMT) – Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem today defended Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Nangka, Dr Annuar Rapaee, over the alleged misquoted report by news portal Malaysiakini.

According to Adenan, the journalist had “obviously misquoted” Dr Annuar and that “his words were twisted”.

“Please report me accurately. Don’t let your political inclinations misrepresent what I say. A good example is (about) Dr Annuar.

“He was obviously misquoted and his words were twisted and the person responsible I think has gone off (back to the peninsula).

“But not all Malaysiakini (reporters) are like that. But this particular person has misquoted or twisted what Dr Annuar said,” he told a press conference at Sarawak’s Dewan Undangan Negeri last night.

It was reported on Sunday that police had confirmed they had begun investigations into an article published by Malaysiakini about Annuar.

Sarawak CID chief Dev Kumar MM Sree Shunmugam said six police reports had been lodged about the article, written by a Malaysiakini journalist.

The police reports had alleged that the article could disturb public order in the state.

Dev Kumar said investigations were being carried out under the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Section 505(c) of the Penal Code makes it an offence to publish a report likely to cause fear or alarm to the public. It also covers incitement. Conviction carries a maximum jail term of two years or fine or both.

Last Friday, Annuar had complained that his remarks about Muslims in Sarawak had been taken out of context by Malaysiakini.

He denied he had ever called for Sarawak Muslims to vote for BN to ensure a Muslim Chief Minister could lead them.

Instead, he said, he had merely told Muslims to be thankful because others were willing to support and trust Muslims to be leaders and had called on participants to continue supporting Chief Minister Adenan Satem.

Malaysiakini, however, said it will stand by its report which also quoted Annuar denying that he was playing the race and religious card.