New Straits Times
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Type | Daily newspaper |
| Format | Tabloid |
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| Owner | Media Prima Berhad |
| Publisher | New Straits Times Press |
| Editor | Hishamuddin Aun |
| Founded | July 15, 1845 |
| Political allegiance | Right of centre, pro-government |
| Headquarters | Balai Berita 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Circulation | 200,000 |
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| Website: nst.com.my | |
The New Straits Times is a Malaysian English-language newspaper. It is Malaysia's oldest newspaper, having been founded as The Straits Times in 1845, and it 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 in September 2004 and since 18 April 2005, the newspaper is published only in tabloid size, ending a 160-year-old tradition. The New Straits Times currently retails at 1.20 Ringgit (~32 USD cents).
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 group of companies.
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 became part of Malaysia in 1963, but upon its departure from the Federation in 1965, a separate title covering 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.
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[edit] Political control
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." [1] 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.[citation needed] 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 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.[citation needed]
Rehman Rashid, a noted intellectual famous for his scathing wit 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, 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 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 appointed his successor, Datuk Hishamuddin Aun, in late 2005.[citation needed]
Following a plagarism row with Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom on October 2006,[2][3] Brendan Pereira resigned as Group Editor in December 31, 2006, succeeded by Syed Nadzri Syed Harun. The Deputy Group Editor is Kamrul Idris Zulkifli. The Executive Editors as of January 1, 2007 are KP Waran, Lim Thow Boon, Rajan Moses and P'ng Hong Kwang.
[edit] Business Times
The paper has for some years incorporated the Business Times, expanding its business section and increasing its appeal among businessmen.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Merican, Din & Musa, M. Bakri (2006). "The Bold and The Predictable - Exchanges with Din Merican". Retrieved March 13, 2006.
- ^ Ooi, Jeff (31/10/2006). How we dearly miss Brendan by 50 Albom days. Screenshots. Retrieved on March 8, 2007.
- ^ Kent, Jonathan (02/11/2006). Malaysia editor in plagiarism row. BBC News Online. Retrieved on March 8, 2007.
