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©New Straits Times (Used by permission)
by B. Suresh Ram and Teresa Yong

KUALA LUMPUR: Vernacular newspaper Makkal Osai's publication permit was not renewed as it had breached media guidelines governing the publication of newspapers in the country, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

And although Syed Hamid did not specify which guidelines were breached, he stressed that it was not over their pro-opposition stand.

"We have been renewing (the publication permit) of this newspaper before, even when they were pro-opposition."

On Wednesday, the ministry, in a letter to the newspaper, had informed that it would not be approving its annual publication permit.

This was the second time the newspaper had run afoul of the ministry's guidelines.

In August last year, the newspaper was suspended for a month for carrying a picture of Jesus Christ holding a can of alcohol in one hand and a cigarette in the other, as part of an anti-alcohol campaign.

Speaking after a working visit to the Civil Defence Department here yesterday, Syed Hamid said there had been many complaints against the newspaper.

"If you breach the guidelines, then sanctions will be imposed. In some cases, we suspend. In this case, we did not renew its publication permit.

"It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision."

Syed Hamid said newspapers had a responsibility to promote unity and enhance understanding among the various races.

"Our country is so sensitive about these issues and that is why we have the (media) guidelines," Syed Hamid said, adding that the Home Ministry had not completely shut the door on Makkal Osai.

"They can appeal and we will consider their application."

On how this will affect media freedom in the country, Syed Hamid said: "There is freedom. You should not extrapolate. You should not imagine what has not happened."

Meanwhile, it was business as usual at the Makkal Osai headquarters in Jalan Murai off Jalan Ipoh yesterday.

Though the staff were still in shock, they were advised to go about their business as usual by the management.

Its general manager, S.M. Periasamy, said: "We are shocked at the ministry's refusal to renew the publication permit. So are our readers. There were no reasons given."

The daily ceased publication yesterday.

"We will appeal the decision and abide by the guidelines," Periasamy said. "We hope the ministry will consider our application."

The 102 employees, comprising editorial, printing, packaging, computer, proof-reading, administrative and regional office staff, had been told to continue work as usual until the outcome of the appeal.

Advertising executive Mogana Sunthri, 32, who has been with the daily since 2005, said she was upset as they had commitments to advertisers.

Computer executive Kaden Malaisamy, 38, said the decision was an unexpected blow.

"There are very limited opportunities for people in the Tamil newspaper industry.

"During the previous suspension, our salaries were delayed. But we are hopeful that Makkal Osai will be back," he added.

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