Muhyiddin slams BBC over false report

28/04/1998

YOUTH and Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday took the
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to task for airing a programme
which, among other things, reported the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games on
Sept 11-21 may be shifted to Australia.
The programme cited haze, water shortage, prolonged drought and the
uncompleted Bukit Jalil Sports Complex during a radio broadcast on April
25, 7am local time, as reason enough to move the Games to Australia.
"This is a very foolish statement and coming from a reputable
organisation like the BBC, it sounds very stupid," said Muhyiddin after
chairing the pre-Games meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Waving a cassette which contained a recording of the broadcast, he said
the Ministry would like to make their stand clear: "Come rain or shine,
the Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur."
"BBC were very irresponsible in airing a programme that has no truth in
it. Sukom Ninety-Eight Bhd (the organisers) and the Malaysian Government
have been working fulltime since we won the bid. Whatever happens, the
show will go on in Malaysia.
"BBC should not have started this baseless rumour."
Muhyiddin said he was interviewed by the BBC on April 17 and made it
clear all the venues will be ready for the Games and that the haze
situation is being tackled by all the Asian countries. Yet, BBC chose to
ignore the Minister's assurance.
"There is an understanding among the Asian countries affected by the
haze to overcome the problem. How sure are BBC that there will be haze in
September?
"BBC should stop playing god.
"It is not logical to say the Games will be shifted to Australia after
the praise showered upon us by the foreign Press and delegations from the
Commonwealth countries that came to inspect the sites and check on our
progress," he said.
"Most were awestruck by the size of the venues and the state-of-the-art
facilities that Malaysia will be providing for the Games.
"I can only say the BBC programme was very `mischevious' in nature and a
stab in the back. The rakyat know what the truth is," said Muhyiddin.
Yesterday was the second time Muhyiddin had to quash rumours about the
Games. On April 1, after a post-Cabinet meeting, Muhyiddin said rumours
the Games will be moved to Australia were baseless.
(END)