‘Suara Keadilan’, ‘Harakah’ suspended for distorting facts

(NST) PUTRAJAYA: Harakah and Suara Keadilan, the mouthpieces of Pas and Parti Keadilan Rakyat, respectively, have been suspended for three months with immediate effect.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar yesterday said the suspension was inevitable due to distortion of facts, misleading information and attempts by the political parties to instil hatred among the people for the government and Barisan Nasional leaders through the newsletters.

He said the government had been observing articles and headlines in the publications.

"We found that facts were distorted and fabricated with the aim to create misunderstanding and instil hatred for the government and leaders.

"On many occasions, my officers called to advise them but it fell on deaf ears."

Syed Hamid said the government did not intend to curtail press freedom but such freedom must come with responsibility.

"In this case, as the home minister, I am of the opinion that they have acted beyond the normal course of promoting their politics."

He said the articles by both publications concerning the Perak crisis warranted the suspension.

"Of course, we can ban them completely but we want to send them a clear message.

"You can promote your political ideology but do not create dissension that could disrupt peace and stability," he told the New Straits Times.

The Harakah Internet edition reported that the suspension was served on Pas' mouthpiece through a letter signed by the ministry's Al-Quran Text and Publication Control Unit secretary, Che Din Yusoh.

It claimed the move was to stop the Pas and PKR media campaign in the Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai by-elections.

It also reported that the letter, faxed to Harakah yesterday, did not give any reason for the suspension, and a similar letter addressed to PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was sent about 5pm.