Curiously drawing analogy with a lengthy diatribe on how parking operators should be responsible for whatever happens to cars parked within their compound despite disclaimers, it saidMalaysiakini should do likewise.

Instead, wrote one of its editors Zulkiflee Bakar, the portal allows readers of its “pro-opposition” news to post whatever comments “without control”.

His lengthy rant titled ‘Malaysiakini and the habit of a camel’s head’ decried the portal for using its disclaimer for not taking any responsibility for the contents of the readers’ comments.”Whether the comments could bring about harm to the community or nation is secondary to them, that is the so-called freedom that Malaysiakini wants to

portray,” wrote Zulkiflee.”If Malaysiakini is truly a responsible entity, it would emulate parking operators, who although are not responsible for the vehicles parked in their premises, would take preventive measures.”

Malaysiakini‘s comments section is a service available only to its subscribers, who are reminded of the rules and etiquette of posting their views that warns against “profanity, personal attacks, and antisocial behaviour”.

Offenders run the risk of having their right to post comments suspended. The terms of use also remind users that they are “fully responsible for the content you post” and to post responsibly.

Zulkiflee said just putting up a disclaimer is “irresponsible” and this showed Malaysiakini is “an irresponsible lot”.

‘Free speech only for negative views’

He again accused the portal of practising the “law of the jungle” and repeated his “stone aged journalism” accusation first aired on Wednesday.

“Malaysiakini really does not want to take responsibility, not to mention try to control an opinion or comment so that it does not harm any party.

“Malaysiakini seems happy when negative comments towards ‘their enemies’ are posted repeatedly,” he wrote.

However, “positive news” would never be published “till Judgment Day” claimed Zulkiflee.

He alleged that the portal practised freedom of speech “only for those in their favour” but if the free speech were critical of themselves, “it would surely be silenced with a thousand and one reasons”.

“If Malaysiakini truly practised genuine journalism, they would follow the responsible practice of filtering comments that they feel are not suitable for publication,” he added.

The camel’s head touted by Zulkiflee’s headline did not make its entrance till the very end of the rant, in another obscure analogy:

“Malaysiakini‘s attitude has never changed, just like a camel’s head
that can see its surroundings, but does not want to see its own body.”