MAKKAL OSAI THREATENED RACIAL HARMONY

In Malaysia, the government is against any media violated guidelines threatening racial harmony by raising sensitive issues, which can be taken action. The media should contribute to society with regards to building a more united Malaysia and portray moving forward in creating more unity, understanding and goodwill.

Malaysian Tamil-language daily newspaper, Makkal Osai received a letter from the home ministry refusing to renew its annual publishing license, without giving reasons, is seen as the punishment for raising sensitive issues, which can threaten racial harmony.

Malaysia's home minister said Thursday he decided to stop a leading Tamil-language daily newspaper being published because it had violated guidelines threatening racial harmony.

Earlier Thursday, Syed Hamid said the newspaper had breached some of the ministry’s licensing guidelines and many complaints against Makkal Osai. When the times comes for renewal, the Home Ministry decided not to renew it.

Syed Hamid said that because Malaysia was a multi-racial and multi-religious country, there were very sensitive issues, which necessitated the need for media guidelines. "We do not simply not renew a license, but the media should be careful in raising issues that were extremist or could cause misunderstandings.” "We have media guidelines and we do not simply cancel a publication permit.

In the case of Makkal Osai, we do not cancel the permit but decided not to extend it." He said if the newspaper was not satisfied with the decision, it could appeal "and we will then look at it again." On the other hand, Makkal Osai general manager S.M. Periasamy has presented a letter to the publication division of the Home Ministry appealing for its publishing license.