PUTRAJAYA: Several journalists and photographers from the
mainstream media were prevented from covering a function at
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's
office here yesterday.

Confusion arose when a security guard at the Prime
Minister's Office complex told them that only the official
media (Bernama) was allowed to enter the premises.

When told that the newspapers were invited to cover a
courtesy call on Abdullah by Kyrgyz Republic Deputy Prime
Minister Ensengul Omuraliev, the guard insisted that he had
received instructions that only official media be allowed
in.

When a journalist asked who gave the directive, the guard
pointed at her and shouted: "Jangan cakap banyak, saya tak
bagi awak masuk" (Don't talk too much, I will not allow you
in.)

They were only allowed in after Abdullah's press secretary
Kamaruzzaman Zainal intervened and informed the guard that
the local media was invited.