Media watchdog pressures Mahathir

Media watchdog pressures Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A French-based media watchdog, World Association of Newspapers, urged Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Friday to drop the sedition charge against an editor of an opposition newspaper.

Bengt Braun, the president of the group, in a letter to Mahathir also expressed his concern for the arrest of Zulkifli Sulong for publishing an article related to deposed deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

"We respectfully remind you that the arrest of Zulkifli is a clear breach of his right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions," he said.

Zulkifli pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge under the sedition act for printing an article related to the ongoing sodomy trial of Anwar.

He was released on bail and a hearing has been set for May 22.

Braun said if Zulkifli was convicted he could face up to three years in jail.