Just minutes after Suhaimi Mokhtar officially took over from Zulkifli Sulong yesterday as Harakah editor-in-chief, he was presented with some articles that needed to be screened for the paper's next edition on Oct 8.

As he looked at the articles, Zulkifli jokingly told Suhaimi: "You'll be taking over my headaches as well!"

Indeed, there will be more "headaches" to come for Suhaimi, posted there by the party's top leadership, as he shoulders his responsibilities as the editorial boss of the PAS party organ.

As Suhaimi faces the pressure from within the party, those outside - especially human rights activists - would be closely monitoring if he would be introducing new policies that may further curtail whatever little space left for dissenting views.

Although the publication's chairperson Mustafa Ali had assured that the change of editors would not affect the publication's policy, one cannot be too sure.

Media activist Fathi Aris Omar said he was puzzled why a credible editor like Zulkifli has to be replaced.

Reflect party's aspiration

"He is liberal and open-minded. He is quite persistent as far as journalistic freedom is concerned. Although he works for a party organ, he would nevertheless tries his best not to sacrifice press freedom in publishing reports in Harakah," he said when contacted.

"His openness is important for Harakah and PAS because both deal with a wide cross section of people. In appointing the editor, the party must pick someone who is able to reflect the party's aspiration in building a better and more democratic Malaysia."

He expressed his concern that Suhaimi may give in to a certain faction in the party's leadership that adopts narrow political mindset.

"I worry that the new editor would not be tolerant to issues outside the party and restrain articles that are more liberal in nature. As we all know, senior leaders in PAS are known for their weird notion of freedom of speech or expression. So the new editor may be caught up with such sentiments and restrict the little space that Malaysians have in voicing dissenting views."

He also wondered why was behind the party's decision to move Zulkifli out of Harakah to the publication's online version HarakahDaily.

"Surely, party leaders have not forgotten his (Zulkifli's) efforts in boosting Harakah's circulation during the reformasi era beginning in1998. Without Zul, I don't think Harakah can enjoy the profits it is reaping today. He helped by portraying certain issues that were attractive to the masses."

The reason behind Zulkifli's removal out of Harakah remains a mystery. The reason given by Hishamuddin that the party wants changes seemed not to gel with current developments.

Suhaimi is older

A politician from Selangor observed that if it was new blood that needs to be injected into the publication, then why did they choose an editor who is much older than Zulkifli.

"Further, Suhaimi did not do much all this while as the party president Abdul Hadi Awang's press secretary. What makes them think he can create the change that they think is needed?"

Sources within the party revealed that Zulkifli's removal was a result of internal political bickering that has gone bad.

"When delegates at the recent muktamar (general assembly) aired their dissatisfaction against Harakah, those critical of the management of the publication immediately lobbied for Mustafa, Hishamuddin and Zulkifli to be removed. But to keep all leaders happy, they decided to remove the only non-politician," he said.

"Zulkifli has been made a scapegoat to keep everyone happy at the central committee," he added.

Political observer and writer Ahmad Lutfi Othman agreed with this view.

"Motions related to Harakah brought up at the assembly were about the publication's administration and state of finance. Nothing on Zul or the contents of Harakah were mentioned. If the party were to really act on the members' complaints, it should be Hishamuddin and Mustafa who should be axed."

Know the changes

Ahmad also observed that PAS leaders have chosen to remain silent over why Zulkifli was removed and this would further fuel speculation.

"It is only fair for the new editor to know why Zul was removed. He should not be allowed to grope in the dark as to what changes need to be made to improve the paper," he said.

He also hoped that Suhaimi would adopt a liberal approach as the editor of Harakah.

He said it is understandable for PAS members to want Harakah to be run like a party publication that depicts the party's aspirations but it is important to note that it is also a platform for non-member to air their views.

"Yes, Harakah is a party organ but I do hope that the party realise that it is also the only alternative publication around and PAS must use this opportunity to gain access to the people as much as they can. So the new editor must be as tolerant as possible."

However, there are those who welcomed Zulkifli's removal like one PAS youth leader from Kuala Lumpur.

"I hope that removal would be the party's first step to reshuffle the party organ," he said.

"Editorial policy is only part of our complaint against Harakah. We complained repeatedly on finance, recruitment, staff welfare."

He felt that Harakah's editorial team has so far failed to enhance the party's image and aspirations.

"We should use more of our leaders in providing contents for the paper. We have nine PhD holders in the party's consultative council yet none of them had been taken advantage of by Harakah. We hope under the new editor, things will change for the better."