Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email I nearly fell off my bed when I heard the “clarification” given over TV3 purportedly by the Home Minister. Come on la, you think we are stupid people is it? The permit is not “renewed” means what? Can the paper continue publishing? No right? What can a newspaper company do if it doesn’t have permit to publish?
Sigh…sometimes I think Remo can do a better job at ministering! He eats on time, sleeps on time, shits on time as well, not to mention bark occasionally to show his presence.
Makkal Osai is now paying for the election thumping given by the community. If we refer to Centre for Independent Journalism’s (CIJ) report on Media during Election Campaign, Makkal Osai did quite well – meaning balanced news as compared to Utusan or NST. But, it also had 23% pro-opposition news. So, what does this mean? People who do their job well get kicked out?
My guess is the appeal will take a few weeks, and by then the papers will be asked to toe in line, maybe be bought over by MIC via “change of management”.
Since their permit renewal application was sent last year October or so, they were kept waiting and waiting…6 months for a approval process. Maybe PERMUDAH can look into this as well. Aynway, hat’s off to Makkal Osai for sticking to their guns even when their approval was pending.
Home Ministry: Makkal Osai breached guidelines
By SHAHANAAZ HABIB
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government decided not to renew the licence of Makkal Osai because the Tamil daily had breached some of its licensing guidelines, said Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
The Home Minister said every newspaper was reviewed on a yearly basis in terms of its contribution to society with regards to building a more united Malaysia and how “we should portray moving forward in creating more unity, understanding and goodwill.”
He said there had been many complaints against Makkal Osai.
“So when the times comes for renewal, they (Home Ministry) decided not to renew it,” he told reporters Thursday at a press conference after a visit and briefing at the Civil Defence Department. He said if the newspaper was not satisfied with the decision, it could appeal “and we will then look at it again.”
Syed Hamid said that because Malaysia was a multi-racial and multi-religious country, there were very sensitive issues, which necessitated the need for media guidelines. “We do not simply not renew a licence,” he said, adding that the media should be careful in raising issues that were extremist or could cause misunderstandings.
Makkal Osai files appeal
source
By V.P. SUJATA
PUTRAJAYA: Makkal Osai general manager S.M. Periasamy has presented a letter to the publication division of the Home Ministry appealing for its publishing licence.
He met with the division’s principal assistant secretary Abdul Razak Abdul Latiff at 3pm at the ministry here Thursday. The letter, he said, was accepted and acknowledged, adding that Abdul Razak said it would be processed.
Periasamy said he hoped to meet minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar on Monday to discuss the issue. “I hope that will be enough time for him to read our appeal letter. “As far as we know, we adhered to all conditions set by the ministry but if there was any violation on our part, we apologise,” he said, adding that he had also apologised in the appeal letter.
The Home Ministry rejected an application for the renewal of the Tamil daily’s publishing licence on Wednesday.
Earlier Thursday, Syed Hamid said the newspaper had breached some of the ministry’s licensing guidelines. The Home Minister said every newspaper was reviewed on a yearly basis in terms of its contribution to society with regards to building a more united Malaysia and how “we should portray moving forward in creating more unity, understanding and goodwill.”
The newspaper started operations as Tamil Osai in 1981, and later changed its name to Makkal Osai in 2005. It has a daily circulation of 52,000 copies and 95,000 on weekends.
“…there had been many complaints against Makkal Osai” ??
say lar datuk …the complaints are form mic and BN …..
syed albar’s comment’s on this issue, sucks