Malaysia is currently in a political "off-season" and thus all politicking should be put on hold.

New Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said the focus for now should be on working for the people.

"If this was football, we would be in the off-season. When it's the general elections, then the season is on.

"In this off-season we should be working. For the government, we should exercise our mandate.

"But they keep politicking 24 hours a day [...] they are panicky. Maybe they think tomorrow is judgement day," he said.

Salleh said this when asked to comment on a planned rally by journalists this Saturday, to show solidarity with The Edge.

It was not clear if he understood that the protests would be held by journalists.

The Aug 8 rally seeks to protest the Home Ministry's three month suspension of The Edge Financial Weekly and Financial Daily .

Salleh said protesting the suspension can be done by handing a memorandum, or writing letters, not by a rally.

"What is the motive behind this? [...] They can't use this method (demonstrating) because Malaysia is a peaceful country.

"They are forcing us to accept their point of view. That is wrong.

"If they accept the facts of democracy, the people will decide everything and they will decide it at the next general election," he said.

Salleh was speaking at a press conference after receiving his Communications and Multimedia minister portfolio from his predecessor Ahmad Shabery Cheek in Putrajaya.

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