Regional weekly magazine Asiaweek is still in the dark over the Home Ministry's delay in approving the distribution of magazine's last two issues.

The March 2 edition of Asiaweek appeared to have been banned while the current issue dated March 9 has still not been approved for distribution. ([#1]Last week's Asiaweek still on hold, latest issue delayed[/#], March 5)

Asiaweek executive editor Rick Hornik told malaysiakini that the magazine has not received any official complaint from the ministry and was unaware of the reason for the delay.

"We have asked for an explanation through our distributor in Kuala Lumpur. They have written to the Home Ministry but we are still completely in the dark," Hornik said when contacted in Hong Kong today.

Hornik lamented that Asiaweek has incurred a heavy financial burden over the delay.

"Unfortunately there is nothing much we can do. We will make our case to the authorities if the situation continues and just hope that they practise an open media in Malaysia," he said.

Asiaweek's predicament began following the publication of a photo of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the Jan 26 issue of the magazine. Mahathir, who had given an interview to the magazine, had noted his displeasure with the picture, which he said was an attempt by the magazine to portray him as an 'idiot'.

Last week's issue of Asiaweek had two articles referring to Malaysia that might have raised the ire of the government.

The first, [#2]"The new crusade"[/#], by Roger Mitton, was about the rise of radical Islam in Southeast Asia. It alleged that the Moro fighters are supported by the Malaysian government, insinuating that a Muslim rebel leader wanted on murder charges by the Philippine government, had ties with Malaysian businessmen, and even Malaysian Information Minister Khalil Yaakob.

In another article, [#3]"Building a legacy"[/#], writer Arjuna Ranawana asserted that many rulers have sought to perpetuate their legacies by constructing buildings and cities that they hope will last beyond their time.

He mentioned Mahathir as an example, pointing out how Malaysia's new administrative capital Putrajaya had Mahathir's personality stamped on it, even if it is named after the country's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

Another weekly held back

Meanwhile, the latest edition of another international weekly, the Far Eastern Economic Review, with a cover date of March 8, has also been held back by the ministry.

However, its March 1 issue which was delayed for about a week, has received its approval letter from the government and was distributed over the weekend.

The magazines' Malaysian distributor, Magazine Services (M) Sdn Bhd, had earlier told malaysiakini that the release letters for the sale of the foreign publications were usually given at the beginning of each week.

"Normally, we will submit the latest copies of the magazines to the ministry for censorship purposes on Fridays and their approval will come the next day or if not, by the following Monday," said the official.

The magazines will then be sold to the public as well as sent to subscribers six days before their cover date, he added.

The Review and Asiaweek have a readership of 15,000 and 25,000 respectively in Malaysia.

Internet versions of the current editions of both magazines are already online. However, there are no controversial articles on the country in both magazines this week.

Attempts by malaysiakini to reach Home Ministry officials for comment were unsuccessful.