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Curbs on newspaper

Malaysian opposition

mulling legal action

against govt

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's biggest opposition party said on Thursday it may take the government to court over severe curbs on its newspaper, which it termed a "black mark" for democracy.

Harakah, newspaper of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), appeared on Thursday for the first time since the Home Affairs Ministry last week renewed its publication licence only for two issues a month instead of two a week previously.

The government licences all newspapers under the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

PAS President Fadzil Noor sought an urgent debate in parliament on the curbs, which he described as "an action against fundamental human rights, freedom of expression and a black mark to the practice of democracy in Malaysia".

He said the restrictions violated the United Nations human rights charter and reflected an "assault on human rights". But the Speaker rejected a debate, saying the matter was not urgent.

Fadzil told a press conference that the party would consider whether to take legal action against the ministry on the grounds that its action infringed constitutional rights.

"With regard to the legal action, PAS will try to take it as soon as possible..." he said through an interpreter.

Fadzil also said PAS leaders would hold public gatherings nationwide to "explain the government's unreasonable action".

International press groups and local rights bodies have hit out at the restrictions on Harakah, which the government says is not a political move but an attempt to "standardise" the publication of party newspapers.

The move was the latest in a series against Harakah since last November's elections when PAS more than tripled its parliamentary seats to 27.

The home ministry in January curbed its street sales and confiscated copies, saying the paper was breaching its licence by selling to non-party members.

The editor Zulkifli Sulong and the paper's printer are facing a sedition charge over an article about the trial of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. Sedition is punishable by up to three years' jail. Asked why he thought the government had curbed sales, Fadzil replied: "They know Harakah has a very strong effect on the people. The government does not want its mismanagement to be known to the people".ÑAFP