Published: Friday February 17, 2012 MYT 7:01:00 PM

DAP's Hew apologises for 'compensated dating' remark

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP election publicity chief Hew Kuan Yau said it was "some distorted interpretations" of his "prostitute journalist" that had offended people.

Hew on Friday apologised for his blog entry (translated from Mandarin as) "the compensated dating between local reporters and BN (Barisan Nasional)" which has stirred controversy with many saying it was as good as calling journalists "prostitutes".

"Compensated dating" is a literal translation from the Japanese word, "Enjo-kosai" which means having no self-respect in exchange for material gain.

"I would like to publicly tender my sincere apologies for the 'analogy' which I had drawn, which offended many upright and honest media practitioners.

"I never intended to cause embarrassment to the many honest and upright media practitioners in Malaysia.

"I deeply regret that as the controversy evolved, many friends from the media felt hurt by some distorted interpretations that were spun by my enemy (enemies)," he said in a statement.

Various media organisations had openly asked Hew to provide the identities of the reporters he had referred to, and called on the party's disciplinary committee to take the necessary action if he failed to provide evidence.

It was reported that when Hew's remark became public, party disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai said no action would be taken against him as he was merely being truthful.

Last week, Hew had posted an apology on the social webpage, stressing that the statement was his personal view and not DAP's official stand.

However, his apology stirred more anger as he qualified it by saying that he was only "apologising for causing a controversy by telling the truth".

The National Union of Journalists will convene an extraordinary delegates conference on March 3, to adopt a firm stand against Hew's statement which referred journalists as "prostitutes". BERNAMA.

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