DAP treads softly over Rocket permit
S PathmawathyPublished: Jul 14, 2010 3:08 PM | Updated: Jul 15, 2010 3:53 PM
DAP wants a diplomatic resolution to Home Ministry action against The Rocket, having been told to explain why two versions of the party organ were published when the annual publication permit had expired.
DAP wants a diplomatic resolution to Home Ministry action against The Rocket, having been told to explain why two versions of the party organ were published when the annual publication permit had expired.
Publicity chief and editor Tony Pua (right) claimed that the party has "no beef" with the ministry - which issues and renews the printing and publishing permits - and is determined to settle the matter amicably and with "the right approach" .
The ministry had issued show-cause letters to DAP yesterday with a seven-day deadline to reply why the English and Chinese monthly editions of The Rocket had been published.
"We are seeking an appointment with the minister to discuss the issues involved, given the convention practised over the years. We will consult with him (as to) the best course of action to take," Pua told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
The permit for the English version expired on June 30 this year and for the Chinese version on Nov 30 last year.
‘No change in practice'
Pua pointed out that The Rocket had previously been published beyond the expiry date of the annual licence, pending renewal by the ministry.
"For example, we submitted an application to renew the permit for the Bahasa Malaysia edition on July 10 last year - more than a year ago - as it was to expire on Sept 15, 2009.
"(But) we received the permit only on June 11 this year, backdated to last September ... and it will expire in another two months."
He said this has been the practice and that the DAP does not understand why this has become an issue, adding "we haven't received any show-cause letter prior to the one we just got".
The party's central executive committee will discuss the next course of action when it meets next week.
The DAP was the latest of three opposition parties to be questioned by the ministry in relation to conditions attached to their publishing permits.
PKR has since chosen to defy the ministry's suspension of its permit for Suara Keadilan, while PAS has received a second show-case letter over Harakah.
Publicity chief and editor Tony Pua (right) claimed that the party has "no beef" with the ministry - which issues and renews the printing and publishing permits - and is determined to settle the matter amicably and with "the right approach" .The ministry had issued show-cause letters to DAP yesterday with a seven-day deadline to reply why the English and Chinese monthly editions of The Rocket had been published.
"We are seeking an appointment with the minister to discuss the issues involved, given the convention practised over the years. We will consult with him (as to) the best course of action to take," Pua told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
The permit for the English version expired on June 30 this year and for the Chinese version on Nov 30 last year.
‘No change in practice'
Pua pointed out that The Rocket had previously been published beyond the expiry date of the annual licence, pending renewal by the ministry.
"For example, we submitted an application to renew the permit for the Bahasa Malaysia edition on July 10 last year - more than a year ago - as it was to expire on Sept 15, 2009."(But) we received the permit only on June 11 this year, backdated to last September ... and it will expire in another two months."
He said this has been the practice and that the DAP does not understand why this has become an issue, adding "we haven't received any show-cause letter prior to the one we just got".
The party's central executive committee will discuss the next course of action when it meets next week.
The DAP was the latest of three opposition parties to be questioned by the ministry in relation to conditions attached to their publishing permits.
PKR has since chosen to defy the ministry's suspension of its permit for Suara Keadilan, while PAS has received a second show-case letter over Harakah.
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