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.