From THE SUN, Malaysia

The SUN, Malaysia, is Malaysia's fastest growing English language newspaper. It is chasing up on The Star, still Malaysia's most popular English language newspaper, and both are leaving the New Straits Times to bite the dust.

The Sun is independently owned and managed, ie. (in this context) no political party owns it. Any bias is therefore likely to be "apolitical", in a manner of speaking.

The Star is owned by the MCA, but takes a somewhat independent line. Good on the MCA! They know what makes the press really tick.

The NST is essentially an UMNO-owned and run mouthpiece. The Editor is a party man and toes the party line when he has to, just like any MP.

No prizes for guessing why it's slipping in circulation ;-))

LMT.

Keep up the watchdog role

The congratulations that have been bestowed upon theSun are absolutely deserving, but it is the impact they have brought about that really matters.

theSun was able to expose the infractions of a state management that involved businessmen, politicians and the management of MBPJ, for the good of the public who being the stakeholders have given their trust to all the parties stated. It appears that theSun is committed to prove wrong the denials of the state administration.

Identifying, recognising and exposing the ills and malpractices of authorities is a task for one who has no fear or favour. theSun should continue its crusade without excuse to any quarter to spot and expose the violations of business ethics and help reduce the bureaucratic red tape in the public delivery system. theSun has exhibited this dedication and the public should rally behind it for their own good.

In relation to the billboard issue, we read with concern that no action will be taken against the officers involved in this fiasco. This is most improper and the MB can be construed as an accomplice to the violation of procedure. To create an atmosphere of fairness in the state administration, one in which rules and standards are equally applied, the principles of just cause and due process must operate.

Just cause requires that reasons directly linked with job performance be clearly established for disciplinary action or discharge.

Due process refers to fairness of the procedures an organisation uses to impose sanctions on employees. The state should uphold integrity of the due process and the MB should not influence the process or the outcome.

Let us all help Pak Lah with his National Integrity Plan and the state governments should be role models in executing actions to achieve this natio- nal agenda. Perhaps from time to time, Pak Lah should get the message across to his officers about integrity in the state administration.

Another brilliant score by theSun. Heartiest congratulations to Citizen Nades and his team.

Dr Zainal Abidin Abdul Majid
Director, Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia