TEMPO.CO, Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian government has suspended three opposition media organizations, including Harakah, Suara Keadilan, and The Rocket, by accusing them of publishing without a license. Government and police authorities also seized thousands of newspapers distributed throughout the nation.
The official announcement from the Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry stated that the government confiscated 1,408 copies of Suara Keadilan, 1,062 copies of Harakah, and 70 copies of The Rocket. The government stated that these measures were taken because these media organizations were in violation of the 1982 law on printing and publishing permits.
Sinar Keadilan, Harakah, and The Rocket are newspapers published by three members of Malaysian political coalition Pakatan Rakyat, including the People’s Justice Party (PKR), the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS), and the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
"They mass printed, imported, and published without a license, violating the laws and regulations of the permit," stated the Ministry’s spokesperson.
The government claimed to have called out a warning before suspending the publications.
Suara Keadilan leader, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, rebuked the government’s excuse. He believes the suspension was due to their support for opposition activist Adam Adli, who was recently detained by the authorities.
MAHBUB MAHBUB | ANNE MUHAMMAD (KUALA LUMPUR)
