Makkal Osai's General Manager, S M Periasamy confirmed that the newspaper received a suspension order from the Ministry of Internal Security for 30 days, effective 24 August. The order follows police reports reportedly lodged by the youth wing one of the ruling parties, Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) against the publication on 23 August. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who heads the ministry, was also reported to have chided the paper for the publication of the picture.

While agreeing that religious sanctity has to be respected, CIJ is concerned that the suspension is a blanket punishment against people's channel for information and communication. That a suspension order can be so swiftly imposed and despite the paper having apologized for two days indicate continual disregard for freedom of the press and that alternative expression on religion must not be tolerated.

The paper's suspension, which comes after complaints by politicians also smacks of knee-jerk reaction. Suspending the paper after it has given redress to its complainants by apologizing, is unwarranted and high-handed. CIJ is therefore worried about the call by religious group Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism for the government to act against the paper as it is indicative of the high-handed action mentality.

We urge the government to revoke the suspension order and repeal the Printing Presses and Publication Act that provides for the licensing of publications.

Issued by

Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director

For more information, please contact Wai Fong at 03 40230772