KL comes under fire from inside, outside over 'censor'

KL comes under fire from inside, outside over 'censor'

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): An international press freedom group criticized on Friday Malaysia's decision to delay sales of two foreign news magazines which carry articles on Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government.

"If the government is trying to bar the distribution of foreign publications, that's very troubling," said Lin Neumann, Asia representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists.

As of Friday evening, censors were still holding back editions of Asiaweek and the Far Eastern Economic Review. They would normally have gone on sale six days earlier.

There was no indication whether the latest editions of the two magazines, which would normally go on sale Saturday, would also be delayed.

The Control of Publications and Film Division, part of the Home Affairs Ministry, routinely inspects imported news magazines. But local distributors say they believe it is the first time for many years that it has delayed sales.

Mahathir's government has for years fiercely criticized the Western media for alleged biased and inaccurate reporting. But it had previously made no overt moves to suppress its operations or to curb sales.

Tengku Mahmood Tengku Ismail, assistant undersecretary of the publications control division, told AFP on Thursday that the delay "could be due to some problems with the contents." He declined to give details of the problems but added: "We have to bear in mind national interest."

Rohaizad Abdul Rahim, press secretary to Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, declined comment when asked if a new policy of censoring foreign publications has been introduced. An information ministry spokesman also declined comment. A source said the ministry was not consulted about the decision.

The Far Eastern Economic Review's web edition for March 1 has a report on opposition to Mahathir from within his ruling party. Asiaweek's March 2 issue, as seen on the Internet, carries a report of links between unidentified Malaysian businessmen and Islamic separatists in the southern Philippines.

Asiaweek also has a report on the new administrative capital of Putrajaya which was pioneered by Mahathir. The article is entitled Building a Legacy.

Neumann said the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists had for years been critical of the government's treatment of the local media.

He told AFP from Bangkok that any attempt to screen or delay foreign news magazines was censorship. "That is not in keeping with what a nation that professes to be democratic should be doing."

Neumann said the action would damage the government. "It makes them look silly. It's a pretty sophisticated country with enormous economic achievements ... but such policies make them look like they're in league with Burma (Myanmar)."

Lim Kit Siang, chairman of Malaysia's opposition Democratic Action Party, said the home ministry should "stop making a fool of itself," especially when the magazines could be read on the Internet.

In a statement he said the delay in releasing printed copies showed the world that "Malaysia is not a democratic country but reminiscent of authoritarian regimes like the previous communist government of the Soviet Union or the Myanmar military junta."

The latest round of verbal attacks on the Western began Feb. 1 when Mahathir accused Asiaweek of deliberately using a cover photograph of him which makes him look like "an idiot."

Three days later the government announced it would set up a committee to handle what it called inaccurate reports in the foreign media.

Asiaweek sells more than 25,000 copies in Malaysia, its largest sales volume in any country.