©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.