PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: Chinese language newspaper Sin Chew Daily has denied playing up the speech by Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail, which was criticised by various Chinese leaders.

The daily, in a statement, said the story consisted of only three short paragraphs and appeared on page eight as a side-bar to the main article, a report on the speech made by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the same event.

The statement said the report only contained 144 words, and was a mere 1.89% of the total layout of that page.

"The reporter was reporting the event factually and did not have any intention of playing up Ahmad's speech," it added.

The statement said the daily adhered to high ethical and editorial standards.

"We only seek to publish news on a timely, accurate and unbiased basis. There are no hidden agendas. We stand by our story," it said.