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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 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 1st 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 RM1.20 (~36 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 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.

Contents

Origins

Political control and controversy

Incorporated sections

''Business Times''

''Property Times''

Notes and references

External links

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 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." ^[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. 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.
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.
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.

Incorporated sections

''Business Times''

The paper has for some years incorporated the ''Business Times'', expanding its business section and increasing its appeal among businessmen.

''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.

Notes and references

1. Merican, Din & Musa, M. Bakri (2006). "The Bold and The Predictable - Exchanges with Din Merican". Retrieved March 13, 2006.
2. How we dearly miss Brendan by 50 Albom days Ooi, Jeff
3. Malaysia editor in plagiarism row Kent, Jonathan

External links

★ Official ''New Straits Times'' web site