According to the report, after reporting for work this morning, RTM human resources director Mohd Shafiq Abdullah told Chou that his one-year contract with the government-owned TV station was terminated effective today.
Malaysiakini said:
"Shafiq said that my contract was terminated immediately due to budget constraints. He was polite and thanked me for my contributions," said Chou told Malaysiakini.
Following this, Chou said he had to surrender his RTM employee tag to Shafiq, who then instructed two police officers to escort him to collect his effects before showing him the door.
Chou said that his contract was to expire only next January, but the terms stipulated that his services can be terminated at any time without compensation.
Asked if his termination is related to his exposé over political interference, Chou replied: "I'm absolutely positive about it".
Chou produced a nine-part documentary on the negative impact of the Bakun Dam on the indigenous people of Sarawak who have been displaced from their land.
The documentary was to appear in 'Galeri Mandarin Nasional' between April 26 to May 7. After airing only two parts were aired, RTM bosses pulled the plug.
In his blog, Chou said that the documentary was taken off the air because RTM top officials believed that it would be detrimental to Barisan Nasional's campaign for the ongoing Sibu by-election. Interestingly, RTM and the Information Ministry have both denied Chou's allegations.
It is sad that Chou has lost his job because of his moral courage to speak up and to expose what he knows. It is even sadder to know that he had to be escorted by TWO policemen to collect his stuff before being shown to the door. What a horrible way to be sacked!!! After working there, he needs no assistance to find the exit. I am sure Chou has the dignity to leave with his head held high but I guess they just had to burst his bubble with this sort of exit.
Chou's contract was said to be terminated due to budget constraints but how can it be as millions are being dished out to Sibu and Hulu Selangor as though there is no tomorrow? How can RTM not have enough money to employ Chou? Does it cost so much to hire him? Or was Chou's contract terminated for other reasons?
There should be a campaign to lobby for his reinstatement or against the manner of dismissal. This can be done by his colleagues, other concerned Malaysians, Journalists Union and so on. I feel very sorry for him that he had to pay the price for speaking up.
Under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Can we see this in our country?
Another whistleblower who exposed THIS ISSUE received a show-cause letter as reported by The Nut Graph.
Dr Selva Vathany Kanapathi Pillai went public with serious allegations of mismanagement and cronyism in an Orang Asli hospital in Gombak received a show-cause letter from the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli (JHEOA) last month. She has been asked to explain why she took part in a Bar Council press conference without her department head Dr Saaiah Abdullah's permission. If she did not reply with an adequate explanation, action would be taken against her.
Article 10 of the Federal Constitution states that subject to certain conditions, “every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression”.
Like what some readers have expressed, we may have the freedom to speak but after that, one might have to pay the price as in Chou's case and Dr. Selva's situation.
Personally, I believe that the time has come to pass a Whistle blowers' Protection Act to protect those who disclose information so as to expose malpractice and matters of similar concern without which we would not know of many damning evidence or facts.
But will that ever materialize in Malaysia?
Penangite Contract was terminated immediately due to budget constraints.
One wonders if all the money has gone to Sibu!