Four Home Ministry officials were alleged to have harassed a printing company in Shah Alam today, as it was about to begin printing the inaugural publication of Kabar Era Pakatan.

Its chief editor Mat Zahari Ali, said the newspaper's front page headline ‘Anwar: Investigate Najib-APCO relations' might have been the cause of their concern.

The bi-monthly publication, which replaces defunct forthnightly Konsep Era Pakatan, was supposed to be sold in newstands in the Klang Valley later today.

NONEThe officials suddenly appeared at the printer's office, asking whether they had a permit at 10.30am.

The stand-off lasted about half an hour, until chief editor Mat Zahari managed to produce the permit which was shown to the Selangor based officers.

"The Home Ministry officials knew we had the permit which was issued on Dec 28, last year.

"This was supposed to be our inaugural publication, and hence, there should not be any problems for us to come-up with this publication for the next seven months.

"Harassing the printer was totally unnecessary as they could have checked their records," he said.

Mat Zahari said Kabar Era Pakatan had a circulation of 40,000 copies.

He hoped that it would regain the kind of loyal readership they had before.

The chief editor said Kabar Era Pakatan incorporates all three Pakatan Rakyat component parties reports.

Harassed because of Apco

Mat Zahari suspected the officials were checking on them after realising the headlines touched on the Najib-Apco Worldwide issue.

Pakatan had earlier suggested that the ‘1Malaysia' idea had links with the One Israel slogan, adopted by the Zionist government, and also coined by Apco.

"I suspect they came by because the issue was featured on our website, Erapakatan.com."

On Tuesday, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had produced two documents, one an agreement signed by Apco and the Malaysian government, which was witnessed by Najib's press secretary Tengku Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad and the other between Apco and the Israel regime when it was headed by Ehud Barak.

Mat Zahari said Kabar Era Pakatan also carried the full text of Anwar's speech regarding the Apco issue in parliament for the benefit of its readers.

He said Konsep Era Pakatan had problems of renewing its permit last year, as initially the Home Ministry refused to renew their permit but finally relented.

Mat Zahari said he would not be lodging a police report over the incident.

"However, if officials confiscate anything then we will reconsider. I hope this will not happen and we hope that the publication will be available nationwide within two days," he said.