Home Ministry's Confiscation of Islah Aliran strongly condemns the Home Ministry's unwarranted confiscation of 640 copies of the tabloid Islah from its publisher's office on 10-11-2000.This action constitutes yet again the Barisan Nasional government's cynical attitude towards press freedom. The purported excuse given by the ministry for the raid on Penerbitan Pemuda is that the tabloid was published without a publishing permit. But, as the tabloid's editor contended, Islah's publication doesn't require any permit as it is not published on a regular basis. That is the law. We view this high-handed action on the part of the ministry as an arrogant display of brute power which transgresses on press freedom without any justification whatsoever. Indeed an anti-intellectual move such as this is in direct conflict with the expectations of a civilised and caring society. Malaysians are wondering if citizens cannot gather peacefully and publish freely, what freedom is left for them? The BN government is making a mockery of freedom and abusing the democratic process. It seems that they have all the freedom to do what they like without a licence whereas others must apply for a licence which is promptly denied. When law-abiding citizens wishing to function within the confines of the law are prevented from doing so by politically-motivated decisions - as in the case of Penerbitan Pemuda whose numerous applications for publishing permits were rejected without just cause - how does a loyal citizen function democratically and legitimately? It would be useful for the Home Minister to ponder over this prudently. Dr Mustafa K Anuar [Home] [Aliran Monthly] |