Repeal Printing Act, says PKR after party organ seizure
PKR wants Putrajaya to repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act after copies of Suara Keadilan were seized by Home Ministry officials last week.
Its communication director Fahmi Fadzil (pic) called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to do away with the Act, which he termed as undemocratic despite some amendments to the legislation.
In September 2012, Najib had pledged to do away with the requirements for the annual renewal of publishing permits as part of his reform agenda.
This took place in July last year after the Printing Presses and Publications Act was amended.
"The prime minister has to show his political commitment as a moderate democrat by quickly repealing the Act," Fahmi said in a statement today.
It was reported earlier today that Home Ministry officials had raided various locations in Alor Star, Kuala Kedah, Jitra, Pendang and Kepala Batas last week, confiscating more than 300 copies of the party organ.
Alor Star branch supervisor Peter Jeyabelan told Keadilan Daily that Putrajaya's actions showed that they were afraid of current issues being disseminated to the rakyat.
"This is a clear and blatant attempt by Putrajaya to halt information from reaching the people. The government is so afraid that the people would update themselves on current issues.
"But the ministry's efforts in seizing copies of Suara Keadilan is in vain as the information will still reach the rakyat, one way or another. It does not matter how many raids they carry out," he was quoted as saying.
In hitting out at Putrajaya's move, Fahmi said it was aimed at constraining the freedom of speech, which is prescribed under the Federal Constitution.
He also criticised the Home Ministry officials who had allegedly warned the traders that their premises would be shut down if they continued to sell Suara Keadilan.
"If this is true, then this is very regretable and cruel. The Home Ministry has to ascertain whether this really happened and, if it did, ensure that such practices are stopped," he said.
Fahmi also demanded that Home Mnister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi explain the status of Suara Keadilan's permit application that was submitted to the ministry last year. – September 15, 2014.
