The independent lawmaker said he was aware of the newspaper’s decision to retract its report but said he would still seek legal redress in either or both Australia and Malaysia.
“I will be conferring with both Malaysian and Australian lawyers on this. “This is a very serious defamation and it is distressing.
“My views on Islam were completely fabrication... I am sickened,” he said in a phone call to The Malaysian Insider yesterday.
The NST had yesterday admitted to having falsely quoted Xenophon (picture) in its article on Wednesday as calling Islam a “criminal organisation” during his 2009 speech in Australia’s Parliament.
But according to Hansard, the senator, a known associate of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had instead used the label to criticise “Scientology”.
“Of course this has become a danger to me. I have been accused of something incredibly serious... of disparaging Islam in the most disgusting way.
“I have already been advised that my safety is now in danger,” he said.
Xenophon pointed out that although NST had pulled its article from its website, it had already likely been read by thousands of netizens. He stressed that he was in no way against Islam and instead has great respect for the religion.
“How could they do this?” he asked. “I have tremendous respect for the people of Malaysia... Malaysians are my friends.”
He added that he had been in Malaysia as a part of the opposition-commissioned international team of observers during the Bersih 3.0 weekend, not merely on invitation but due to his “passion” for the country and its people.
“So this is something I must do, something I need. I need a court ruling on what had occurred,” he said, referring to his decision to proceed with the legal suit.
When asked, however, if he would seek out the Malaysian government to mete punitive action against the NST, Xenophon said he would first consult his lawyers.
But he said the fact that the prominent English daily is Umno-owned “adds seriousness to the case”.
“I cannot fathom how they would stoop this low,” he said.
In its response to the incident yesterday, the NST had also pledged to publish an “appropriate statement” on the issue both in its print and online versions, adding its regret to any distress the incident may have caused the independent Australian senator.
The NST’s response, in verbatim, is as follows:
“We refer to the news regarding Mr Nicholas Xenophon’s complaint in respect of the article entitled ‘Observer Under Scrutiny’ with a sub-title ‘Impartiality Questioned: Anti-Islam Australian Lawmaker Comes Under Fire’, which appeared in the May 2, 2012 edition of the New Straits Times published by us.
“We regret that the article attributes certain statements to Xenophon, particularly the use of the word ‘Islam’ which he did not make in a parliamentary speech in November 2009. We are taking steps to make amends including publishing an appropriate statement in our newspaper and its online version to address the issue.
“We truly and sincerely regret that Xenophon has suffered any distress and embarrassment arising from the article and we honestly believe that that steps we are taking to make amends will resolve the matter.”
According to the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) yesterday, Xenophon had said that NST’s alleged use of the word “Islam” to replace the actual term “Scientology”, which he had criticised in his 2009 speech, was “an example of the kind of dirty tricks the ruling party employs and had used against the Opposition Leader Anwar”.
The NST has since removed the article from its website, but cached copies can still be found of the offending story.
In the NST article, Xenophon was not only accused of insulting Islam during his 2009 adjournment speech in Australia’s Parliament, but was also said to have expressed strong support for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.
The NST’s extract of the speech quoted the senator as
saying: “What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and
criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident;
it is happening by design. Islam is not a religious organisation. It is
a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious
beliefs.”
But in the excerpt from the Australian Parliament’s Hansard, cited in the SMH,
Xenophon had actually said: “What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern
of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not happening
by accident; it is happening by design. Scientology is not a religious
organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its
so-called religious beliefs.”
A cached version of the article can be accessed here.
According to the NST, Xenophon had also appeared to express support for same-sex marriages in the same adjournment speech, purportedly claiming that other lawmakers agreed with him and such unions would eventually be allowed by law.
The paper quoted PKR-turned-independent MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim as criticising Xenophon for his words, saying that the latter was not only outspoken against Islam but also supportive of the LGBTs.
“Should we let someone like Xenophon influence our culture and moral values through politics? By confiding in Xenophon, is Anwar also supporting the LGBT movement?” he asked, according to the NST.
SMH, however, did not dispute the NST’s report over Xenophon’s alleged support for homosexuality.
Xenophon was among a team of international observers or “pre-election assessment team” invited to Kuala Lumpur by Anwar to look into the country’s electoral reform attempts.
The team was on a six-day mission from April 25 and was tasked to interview local government and political leaders, before compiling its recommendations on how Malaysia could have a clean and fair polls process, which the country’s opposition leaders have insisted does not exist here.
They had also observed last Saturday’s rally for free and fair elections by Bersih and in an immediate response to the event, Xenophon had insisted that the rally-goers were well-behaved and even festive, instead of unruly as claimed by government leaders.
As a result, Xenophon has come under fire for his allegedly blinkered support for Anwar, with questions raised over his independence and impartiality.-malaysian insider
Xenophon should reject NST's apology
There are rare instances when an apology should not be accepted. The New Straits Times’ (NST) public apology to Australian independent senator Nicholas Xenophon is one such occasion.
Adding insult to his injury, a similar article appeared in the Malay language daily, Utusan Malaysia, quoting the same doctored speech from Xenophon (right), describing him as an anti-Islam politician as well as a staunch supporter of same-sex marriage. Utusan has yet to apologise. Both papers are owned by Umno, the main party in the ruling coalition.
NST did not apologise at the earliest opportunity. It only did so after it was hauled up by Australia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia yesterday.
In the context of the Asian culture of shame, it becomes extremely difficult to accept an apology when one becomes an object of ‘biadap’ (barbaric, uncivilised) and ‘hina’ (scurrilous) attacks unless it is accompanied by genuine remorse. There was none forthcoming from NST.
More than that, the attack on the senator is nothing short of criminal defamation.
NST fails to meet the ingredients of a genuine apology. It is insincere and failed to understand the gravity of its transgressions nor showed appropriate remorse.
Instead, NST is seeking to deceive its readers that it was a “gross error.” In truth, it was never an error. NST went out of it s way to vilify the visiting senator by barbaric means.
NST acknowledged its article contained, amongst others, the following statement:
1. In a speech made in the Australian Parliament on 17.11.2009, Mr Xenophon was critical of Islam and came out openly in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issue.
2. Mr Xenophon is reported to have said in his speech that “What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident; it is happening by design. Islam is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.”
3. Mr Xenophon therefore questioned whether Islam deserved any support.
We hereby confirm that we have made a grave error in publishing the statements in the article. We accept that in his speech in the Australian Parliament referred to in the article, Mr Xenophon did not use the word “Islam” and neither did he assert that Islam is not a religious organisation but a criminal organisation hiding behind its religious belief.
Speech criticising Scientology
What NST did not admit was that Xenophon had made a speech criticising Scientology, but references to that belief was diabolically replaced by NST with the word “Islam”. This puts the senator’s life at risk from extremist elements as he was visiting Malaysia.
Both NST and Utusan are guilty of incendiary hate speech by using the race and religion card. They should not be allowed to get away with an empty apology for their irresponsible and highly dangerous act. Xenophon should reject the apology and sue. It is Umno which should apologise to both the senator and the papers’ readers for the deception and gross indecency.- malaysiakini
Legal action on NST by Aussie MP to continue
Senator Australia akan saman NST, dakwaan anti Islam ‘meloyakan’
Senator Australia Nicholas Xenophon telah mengesahkan beliau akan mengemukakan saman terhadap New Straits Times (NST), menuduh akhbar Umno itu sengaja menjejaskan keselamatannya apabila mengeluarkan artikel yang menggambarkan dirinya sebagai anti Islam.
Ahli Parlimen bebas itu berkata kepada The Malaysian Insider, beliau memahami niat akhbar berkenaan menarik balik laporan yang disiarkan mereka namun beliau akan tetap mengambil tindakan perundangan sama ada di Malaysia mahupun Australia.“Saya akan mengadakan perbincangan dengan peguam di Malaysia dan Australia berhubung perkara ini.
“Ini adalah fitnah yang keterlaluan dan ianya amat menyedihkan.“Pendapat saya terhadap Islam adalah satu rekaan semata-mata ... ianya menjelikkan,” katanya dalam perbualan telefon kepada The Malaysian Insider semalam.
Akhbar pro-Umno itu semalam mengakui telah membuat kenyaatan tidak benar terhadap Xenophon (gambar) dalam artikelnya pada Rabu lalu yang menggelarkan Islam sebagai “pertubuhan jenayah” ketika ucapannya pada 2009 di Parlimen Australia.
Namun, menurut Hansard, senator terbabit yang merupakan sekutu kuat Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, menegaskan beliau menggunakan istilah “Scientology”.
“Sudah tentu ia membahayakan saya. Saya dituduh melakukan sesuatu yang sangat serius ... menghina Islam dalam keadaan yang amat hina.
“Saya telah dinasihatkan keselamatan saya sekarang ini berada dalam keadaan merbahaya,” katanya.
Xenophon menjelaskan walaupun NST telah menarik balik kenyataan dalam artikel tersebut daripada laman web mereka, ia telah dibaca oleh ribuan pelawat.
Beliau menegaskan dirinya tidak menentang Islam malah amat menghormati agama tersebut.
“Sampai hati mereka melakukan perbuatan itu?” soalnya. “Saya amat menghormati masyarakat Malaysia ... Malaysia merupakan rakan saya.”
Tambahnya, beliau berada di Malaysia sebagai sebahagian daripada suruhanjaya pemerhati antarabangsa pembangkang untuk memantau Bersih 3.0 bukan atas jemputan tetapi atas “dasar kehendak” untuk negara dan rakyatnya.
“Ini adalah perkara yang saya perlu lakukan, satu keperluan. Saya perlukan tindakan mahkamah atas apa yang berlaku,” katanya merujuk kepada keputusan mengambil tindakan mahkamah.
Apabila ditanya, sama ada beliau akan menggesa kerajaan Malaysia mengambil tindakan terhadap NST, Xenophon menjelaskan beliau akan mendapatkan nasihat peguamnya terlebih dahulu.
Namun begitu, menurutnya, akhbar Umno itu telah “mengeruhkan keadaan.”
“Saya tidak faham bagaimana mereka boleh melakukan perkara ini,” katanya.
Dalam respon terhadap insiden semalam, NST telah berjanji akan menyiarkan “kenyataan yang sepatutnya” di akhbar dan juga laman webnya, dan menambah mereka menyesali tindakan ke atas senator bebas Australia itu.
Respon balas NST adalah: “merujuk kepada berita yang disiarkan terhadap rungutan Encik Nicholas Xenophon berhubung artikel bertajuk ‘Pemerhati Di dalam Perhatian’ dengan sub tajuk ‘Rakan Subahat Dipersoal: Pemimpin Anti Islam Australia Dikecam’, seperti yang disiarkan pada 2 Mei, 2012 edisi New Straits Times yang disiarkan kami.
“Kami menyesali artikel tersebut mengandungi kenyataan terhadap Xenophon, terutamanya yang menggunakan perkataan ‘Islam’ yang beliau tidak gunakan sewaktu ucapan di Parlimen pada November 2009. Kami mengambil langkah untuk meminda kenyataan itu dengan kenyataan yang wajar dalam akhbar dan versi online untuk menyelesaikan isu ini.
“Kami menyesali perkara ini dan memahami Xenophon telah terseksa dan malu daripada penyiaran artikel berkenaan, dan secara jujurnya, tindakan kami ini akan menyelesaikan perkara ini.
Menurut laporan Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) semalam, Xenophon mendakwa NST telah menuduhnya menggunakan perkataan “Islam” bagi menggantikan perkataan sebenar “Scientology”, yang telah dikritiknya pada ucapan 2009 adalah,”contoh taktik kotor kerajaan yang juga digunakan terhadap Ketua Pembangkang Anwar.”
NST telah menggugurkan artikel tersebut daripada laman web mereka, namun salinan tersebut masih boleh ditemui dalam direktori mereka.
Dalam artikel NST, Xenophon bukan sahaja dituduh menghina Islam dalam
ucapan penangguhan Parlimen Australia pada 2009, namun turut menyatakan
sokongan terhadap komuniti LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender.
NST memetik laporan ucapan tersebut yang mana senator itu berkata:
“Apa yang kita lihat adalah paten jenayah dan kekejaman dunia. Sebagai
bukti, ia tidak berlaku dengan sengaja; ia telah dirancang. Islam
bukanlah pertubuhan agama. ia adalah organisasi jenayah yang bersembunyi
di sebalik kepercayaan beragama.”
(“What we are seeing is a worldwide
pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence, this is not
happening by accident; it is happening by design. Islam is not a
religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind
its so-called religious beliefs.”)
Namun begitu, SMH melaporkan, ucapan sebenar Xenophon berbunyi: “Apa
yang kita lihat adalah paten jenayah dan kekejaman dunia. Sebagai bukti,
ia tidak berlaku dengan sengaja; ia telah dirancang.
Scientology
bukanlah organisasi keagamaan. Ia adalah organisasi jenyah yang
bersembunyi di sebalik kepercayaan beragama.”
(“What we are seeing is a
worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality. On the body of evidence,
this is not happening by accident; it is happening by design.
Scientology is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal
organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.”)
Menurut laporan NST, Xenophon turut menyatakan sokongan terhadap perkahwinan sejenis dalam ucapan penangguhan yang sama, dan menyatakan ahli Parlimen lain turut sependapat dengannya dan pertubuhan sedemikian dibenarkan oleh undang-undang.
Akhbar itu turut memetik kenyataan Ahli Parlimen Bebas, yang bersama PKR sebelum ini, Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim yang mengkritik Xenophon atas kenyataan tersebut yang bukan sahaja melampau terhadap Islam malah turut menyokong LGBT.
“Perlukah kita membiarkan orang macam Xenophon ini mempengaruhi budaya dan moral masyarakat kita menggunakan politik? dengan bersama Xenophon, adakah ini menyatakan Anwar turut menyokong pergerakan LGBT?” soalnya dipetik NST.
“Saya turut mencabar ulama PAS untuk menyoal Anwar kenapa beliau bersama Xenophon sebagai rakan, sedangkan jelas Xenophon menentang nilai-nilai Islam.”
SMH bagaimanapun tidak menyatakan laporan NST berkenaan sokongan Xenophon terhadap gejala homoseks.
Namun akhbar itu mendakwa NST enggan mengulas lanjut berkenaan perkara itu malam tadi.
Xenophon merupakan salah seorang panel bebas yang antarabangsa “pra pilihan raya” yang dijemput ke Kuala Lumpur oleh Anwar untuk memerhati sistem pilihan raya negara.
Kumpulan tersebut mempunyai misi enam hari bermula 25 April ditugaskan untuk menemuramah kerajaan tempatan dan pemimpin politik, sebelum menyiapkan laporan dan cadangan berkenaan penambah baikan system pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil di Malaysia, berikutan pembangkang menyatakan sistem pilihan raya Malaysia adalah tidak adil dan bebas.
Mereka turut membuat pemantauan sewaktu Bersih 3.0 Sabtu lalu, dan dalam respon awal, Xenophon menegaskan perhimpunan itu aman dan meriah, walaupun pemimpin kerajaan mendakwa berlakunya kekacauan. Oleh kerana kenyataan itu, Xenophon menerima kritikan kerana dikatakan bersekongkol dengan Anwar, dan persoalan berkenaan pendirian bebasnya ditimbulkan.- malaysia insider.
cheers.
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