FM proposes ban on unkind press

FM proposes ban on unkind press

MALAYSIA: Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar called on Sunday for a ban on publications that belittle the country, as official anger mounted over remarks about Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in the Economist.

"I think we have to take serious action," state-run news agency Bernama quoted him as saying. "Why should we encourage the sale of such magazines in our country?"

The minister did not see why offending publications should be allowed to circulate locally, the agency reported.

In its April 5 issue, the weekly praised Mahathir for creating a country better off than most of its Southeast Asian neighbors, but said the 77-year-old had "dictatorial leanings".

Malaysia has shown its displeasure over unflattering press in the past by delaying distribution of magazines such as the Far Eastern Economic Review and Time. But it is generally more tolerant of foreign media snubs than neighboring Singapore. -- Reuters

;AFP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Laos-US-rights Laos evicts three families for not renouncing Christianity: RFA JP/11/ASEAN

Laos evicts three Christian families

HANOI: Authorities in southern Laos have evicted three Christian families from their homes for refusing to renounce their religious beliefs, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA), in a move condemned by the U.S. government.

The families, from Muang Phine district in Savannakhet province, are now in the care of a Christian church after being forced out of their homes in late March, the U.S. government- funded network said in a report broadcast on Saturday.

The U.S. State Department official also cited reports that Christians in the northern city Luang Prabang and elsewhere were facing pressure from Lao authorities to renounce their faith or face eviction or detention.

Some people have been arrested "just for speaking freely and openly about their faith and in other parts of the country, Lao Christians have been ordered to close their churches and to stop their worship practices," he said. --AFP

;DPA;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Malaysia-SARS Malaysia quarantines 280 at psychiatric hospital over SARS fears JP/11/ASEAN

KL quarantines 280 over SARS fears

MALAYSIA: Health officials on Sunday ordered the quarantine of at least 280 workers and patients at a Malaysian psychiatric hospital where three people have showed SARS symptoms.

Health Ministry Deputy Director General Ismail Merican said three patients at the hospital in Kuching, the capital city of Malaysia's Sarawak state on Borneo island, developed pneumonia- like symptoms earlier this month.

It was too early to confirm whether the three patients had contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, as authorities were still awaiting conclusive medical results, Ismail told a news conference.

Ismail said officials at the hospital noted that one of their patients was recently visited by family members from Hong Kong shortly before the other three patients fell ill. But the relatives have informed Malaysian officials that they had not been sick, Ismail said. --DPA