Suara Keadilan to defy suspension order

PKR will continue publishing its newsletter Suara Keadilan in defiance of the three-month suspension imposed by the Home Ministry.

"We will resume our usual operations without a permit," said PKR Information Chief Tian Chua, when contacted.

"There can be no action by the Home Ministry harsher than the suspension of our party organ."

When pressed on the exact cause of the suspension, Chua said he could not think of a reasonable explanation.

However, he said he suspects that the authorities are attempting to restrict space for expression against the backdrop of the Umno elections this week, three by-elections on April 7, and the upcoming transfer of power to deputy premier Najib Abdul Razak.

Chua also remarked that the suspension of Suara Keadilan and PAS party organ Harakah could be “starting points” in further restriction of freedom of expression, citing the charging of Internet users for allegedly seditious comments against the Perak sultan as an example.

PAS leaders have yet to respond on the suspension of Harakah.

However, Harakah head Mustafa Ali (left) said the editorial board will meet on Thursday to discuss the suspension.

"I hope that our PAS colleagues in the Parliament will bring up the matter with the Home Minister and seek an explanation," he said.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar was quoted in media reports today as saying the ministry was displeased with "wrong, sensational and sensitive contents” in the two publications.

He added that the ministry is strict about news that confuses the public and incites anger.

Both publications have routinely been targeted for various forms of government action in the past.

Meanwhile PKR and PAS leaders will be submitting a memorandum to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) tomorrow to protest against the suspension of the two publications.

The delegation will be led by Chua and PAS Information Chief Mahfuz Omar. The youth wing leaders of both the parties are also expected to be present.

A gathering to protest the suspension is also expected to take place at Suhakam at 2pm tomorrow.

'Unseemly haste’

The suspension of the two publications was criticised by the Centre for Independent Journalism and Writers Alliance for Media Independence.

In a joint press statement, they called for the suspension to be lifted immediately and for repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

They reiterated their call for the setting up of a parliamentary Select Committee on Media Freedom.

The two groups described the suspension as "the government's latest assault on constitutionally-enshrined freedom of expression".

They further condemned the “unseemly and unusual haste in suspending the publications”, indicating that this could be linked to the government's unease over a controversial handover of power and apprehension over the three looming by-elections.

"Publications are usually given a 'show cause' latter prior to action being taken,” they said.

Their statement further condemned the use of tear gas against 1,000 people who had gathered last night to hear a ceramah (political talk) by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in Bukit Selambau, Kedah.

They urged an open investigation into police conduct and for freedom of assembly to be upheld.

'No respect for people'

The ministry's decision to suspend the two party newspapers also invoked the anger of former minister Zaid Ibrahim, reports K Pragalath.

"There is no respect for people who voted for opposition. No respect for democracy and law. It looks bad internationally," he told reporters at a book launch event in Kuala Lumpur today.

"They (the government) talk about being first world but behave like the third world.

"Which country in Asia has so much control over the press? Practically all BN parties own the newspapers. Is that not enough?" he asked.