Ministry secretary-general Alwi Ibrhaim told Bernama that the daily had apparently not taken proper care when it posted a picture of people performing their tarawih prayers with a bold headline “Malaysian terrorist leader”.
“Tomorrow, we will summon their editor-in-chief to listen to their explanation regarding their front page.
“If we are not satisfied with their explanation, we will take further action, including issuing a show cause letter,” he told reporters after a programme attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Masjid Tok Jembal here today.
Alwi expressed regret over the occurrence as the ministry had called a meeting with editors on May 23 to give guidelines on publications.
Leaders from both sides of the political divide had criticised the newspaper’s front page which they said gave the impression that all Muslims were terrorists.
The Star in an apology posted on its website today said it is normal practice for the newspaper to print a picture of the first terawih prayers for the year, on the first day of Ramadan.
It said it was coincidental that the first day of Ramadan on Saturday was also the same day it ran the article on terrorism.
The front page was condemned by politicians from Umno, PKR, PAS and Parti Amanah Negara, who said it contributed to negative perceptions about Islam.
The Star openly apologised for its front page, saying on hindsight, it should have been more sensitive to the feelings of its Muslim readers.
“It has been the practice of The Star to respect the first day of Ramadan every year and to place the picture of Muslims at the first tarawih prayer on the front page of the paper.
“This has been done over the last decade or so.
“This year, there was an unfortunate coincidence of the lead story being of a terrorist leader, that led to many linking the headline and the picture, which was never the intention of the newspaper.
“We sincerely apologise for the error of judgment on our part,” it said in a statement today.
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