The Epoch Times has been imported from Indonesia since February 2004, but on 9 June and 13 June 2005, two issues were withheld at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for allegedly violating local regulations.

Officials have refused to comment on the issue, but the latest letter from the Home Ministry clearly states that the reason for refusing entry to the publication is for fear of jeopardising relations with China. The newspaper distributors in Malaysia, DZY Marketing, say that this is because they discuss issues pertaining to human rights abuses in the Republic.

The confiscation of the two issues was done under Sections 9 and 9A of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which deal with ‘undesirable’ publications that are refused importation and give the Internal Security Ministry the power to withhold publications pending the decision of the Minister.

DZY Marketing distributes 8,500 copies of The Epoch Times, and is a weekly published by PT Sinar Epoch in Surabaya, Indonesia. Although the print edition has been limited, The Epoch Times is still available online.

The Centre for Independent Journalism calls for the Government to release the publications immediately in the interest of providing fair opportunities for the public to obtain their information and independent news. The Government should respect the right of the individual to be informed and select his or her own source of information. In this regard, CIJ also renews its call for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act that restricts access to information and press freedom in Malaysia.