Makkal Osai Banned
 Malaysiakini Makkal Osai banned Apr 16, 08 4:58pm The Home Ministry today rejected the renewal of Tamil daily Makkal Osai's publication permit, a move believed to be related to the widespread coverage given to the opposition. When contacted, Makkal Osai general manager SM Periasamy confirmed that the ministry issued the letter which stated that the daily's application 'will not be considered'. The letter did not state any reasons for the rejection. According to Periasamy, the daily - which is closely linked to former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam - had submitted an application for renewal in July, three months ahead of its permit's expiry. Since Oct 15 - the day its permit expired - the daily has continued publication with the understanding that the government was in the process of considering its application for renewal. It finally received the answer from the ministry today. It is noted for the extensive coverage given to the opposition often featuring lengthy articles on their leaders such as PKR's Anwar Ibrahim. The daily, launched in 2005, has also given prominence to the Makkal Sakthi (people's power) movement which sprang to life following the Nov 25 mammoth rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). However, the daily saw a decline in its circulation after Subramaniam buried the hatchet with his former nemesis MIC president S Samy Vellu who owns the rival Tamil Nesan daily. Apart from the two dailies, the other Tamil newspaper in the market is Malaysia Nanban. "We will file an appeal against this decision tomorrow," said Periasamy. Makkal Osai, whose office is located in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, has some 100 staff. Their fate remains unknown. This is not the first time that the newspaper ran into trouble. On Aug 24 last year, the government lapped a one-month suspension after the Tamil daily published an image of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette and a beer can four days ago. The Tamil newspaper gets banned because: 1. "Extensive" coverage on Anwar, opposition leader 2. Coverage on MAKKAL SAKTHI - People Power 3. Coverage on November 25 2007 Hindraf Rally They are a NEWSPAPER. They provide NEWS. All three above are NEWS. If they are not supposed to give coverage to NEWS, then don't call them NEWSPAPERS. If they are supposed to cover only BN stories, they should be called NEWSLETTERS! Then they do not need to apply for any permit! BODOH-NYAH Home Ministry. At least Makkal Osai had the backbone to write NEWS. Unlike the rest of the mainstream BN "NEWSLETTERS". So who is going to give 100 people jobs, and feed their family? HINDRAF just received 100 x 4 x 3 supporters. 100 staff along with an average of 4 family members for each staff, and an average of 3 relation families. If they were not supporters already. The gomen is digging its own grave deeper and deeper. BTW, check out the EFFICIENCY of our Home Ministry...permit expired on OCT 15. And the response for renewal comes 6 MONTHS later!! p/s: Maybe they banned it because of the word "MAKKAL" in the name? Sounds too close to "Makkal Sakthi" maybe? Sent shivers along their spineless back did it? |
posted by Francis Xavier at 11:34 PM
