Harakah gets second show-cause letter
The Home Ministry has given PAS party organ Harakah seven days to reply to its show-cause letter on why this was published and distributed when the permit had expired.
The Home Ministry has given PAS party organ Harakah seven days to reply to its show-cause letter on why this was published and distributed when the permit had expired.
Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam said the grace period to reply to the letter was from yesterday, failing which stern action would be taken against Harakah including suspending its publication.
He said that, although PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali and Harakah managing director Kamaruddin Jaafar had come to the ministry yesterday to explain Harakah's case, the ministry still requires a written explanation to facilitate its investigations.
The publishing permit expired on July 7 and has not been renewed by the ministry.
On July 8, Harakah was given a show-cause letter for the delay in submitting eight copies of each issue to the ministry, and for selling the newspaper to non-PAS members and outside the areas allowed.
Police report
On the defiance of PKR in continuing to publish its party organ - albeit with a new banner - Mahmood said the ministry still considers the publication the same as the suspended Suara Keadilan.
As such, its publication and distribution are illegal and action can be taken.
The publishing permit of Suara Keadilan expired on June 30 and has not been renewed by the ministry.
"The ministry's legal division is looking at what action can be taken against Suara Keadilan and the matter will be discussed at a meeting (held lastnight)," Mahmood said.
PKR's new version of its party organ, Keadilan, is published by PKR Youth, representing the party.
Copies were distributed free of charge to the public around the Masjid Jamek area. It continued to play up allegations involving the Federal Land Development Authority.
Meanwhile, a police report was lodged today against Suara Keadilan over its continued publication although its permit had expired.
The Home Ministry's deputy secretary-general Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi said in a media statement that the report was made at 8pm at the Putrajaya district police headquarters under the Official Secrets Act 1972 (Act 88).
Abdul Rahim said although its permit had expired on June 30, Suara Keadilan failed to reply or explain the contents of the two show-cause letters issued to it by the ministry.
"In fact, those behind its publication have repeatedly challenged the government and have continued to publish the newspaper," he said.
- Bernama
