The AWSJ went further in its two front-page stories and concluded that "the enormous pressure JCO felt to cut costs and compete with overseas rivals" was ultimately to blame.
Both the AWSJ and the South China Morning Post noted that the release of the Jakarta report coincided with the investigation results of a parallel United Nations inquiry into violence in East Timor.
The AWSJ's Raphael Pura reported that despite the UNMO claim that a vote for UMNO is one for stability, its predicted win Monday probably won't end the political turmoil that started when Mahathir sacked Anwar 15 months ago.