Ban of Makkal Osai is an anti- people move…
The ban on Makkal Osai, a leading Tamil daily is shocking not only because Home Ministry bureaucrats arrogantly refused to give a reason for the ban, but it comes at a time when the people have clearly indicated through the March 8 polls, that they want a new Malaysia where press freedom is a central pillar. The banning of the paper indicates the Umnoputras who dominate the federal government and bureaucracy have not learnt a lesson from Makkal Shakthi or People Power shown on March 8.
The ban is also unacceptable because it is against fundamental liberties guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. All democracy lovers in Malaysia are shocked by the ban. The newspapers had given fair and free coverage to all political parties – opposition and government in a manner that had won praise from its readers and the Indian community at large. With this ban i feel worse things are awaiting to happen like further crackdown by the government? I will vocally raise this matter in parliament to ensure the papers license is restored without delay. The Printing Press and Publication law is undemocratic and against the interest of the people and has been used by the ruling Umno party to instill fear and curb freedom of the press. In the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index 20072007 Malaysia plunged 32 notches, a sad indication of the repressive atmosphere under the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Malaysia was ranked 113th in 2005 and 122nd in 2004, respectively, out of 167 countries surveyed then. Malaysia was ranked 110th in 2002 and 104th in 2003, respectively.
The drop is the single-most severe deterioration in press freedom index ranking since Abdullah took over the government in 2003.
