12. Suhakam's Concern

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Wednesday expressed its concern with the threat to suspend the publication of the Herald (the Catholic newsletter) if it publishes an editorial on the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Suhakam Civil and Political Rights Working Group (CPRWG) chairman Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh Onn Kheng, in a media statement, said this would be deemed an infringement on freedom of expression.

"Any Malaysian citizen or publication should be allowed to make comment on Malaysian politics and elections as that is the fundamental right of all ctizens, provided such comments do not provoke dissension and arouse public disorder," he said.

It was reported in The Star on Wednesday that The Herald may have its permit suspended if it goes ahead and publishes an editorial on the Permatang Pauh by-election.

An official with the Home Ministrys publication control and Quran text division had said that this was because an editorial on the by-election was a topic under current affairs and politics which clearly went against the conditions of its permit which should only centre on its religion and religious activities.

The division recently isued a show-cause letter to the Herald for allegedly publishing articles relating to politics - Bernama.