Pakatan claims publications ban meant to hamper polls campaign

"I can only interpret this as a move in bad faith to stop our communications during the by-elections," PKR information chief Tian Chua said in a joint press conference with his counterpart from Pas Mahfuz Omar in Parliament today.

Mahfuz poured scorn on the move, calling it a desperate move by Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to gain support in his fight for the Umno vice presidency in this week's party polls.

"While other candidates can push their various agendas, he has none so far and this is to portray himself as a champion in choking PR's media," he said.

He added that such a move only rubberstamped the growing influence of the two publications in shaping the mindsets of Malaysians.

"We only have one publication each but Umno-Barisan Nasional have various outlets and this will only give us better support," he said.

Chua also said that the move was reminiscent of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed's attacks on media freedom.

Making a tacit reference to allegations that prime minister-in-waiting Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration would be a return to "Mahathirism," he said that "this does not give us a positive outlook for the future as anti-democratic moves may become a trend."

Chua added that the Home Ministry was giving different reasons for the suspensions each day and they were only given "orally."

"Without a clear black and white, how can we respond and explain accordingly?" he said.

When met in Parliament, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said that regulations had been flouted repeatedly.

"They have sold it in public despite numerous warnings," he said.

However, yesterday Syed Hamid had said that it was due to distortion of facts, misleading information and attempts to instill hatred among the people for the government and Barisan Nasional leaders.

Mahfuz however claimed that the permit given to Harakah did not mention any regulation on who could purchase it.

Chua also said that even if it was distributed in public, this was a way for members to access it.

"While we do not agree with a regulation to limit who can purchase it, the government should instead charge non-members who purchase it," he said.

Pending a requested meeting with Syed Hamid, both publications will continue to be distributed as this week's issue has already been printed.

"We will see what happens and then take further action," said Mahfuz.

Chua added that they were considering filing an injunction to nullify the suspension.