Online news portal Malaysiakini has once again been barred from covering an event.

This time it was barred from covering the Multaqa Serantau Alumni al-Azhar (Regional Conference for al-Azhar graduates) which is set to witness PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang delivering his keynote address.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is expected to officiate at the event in a session scheduled to start at 2.30pm.

The programme, jointly organised by the Rabitah Antarabangsa Alumni al-Azhar and the Prime Minister’s Department, is a three-day programme which commenced yesterday.

Malaysiakini was told by an official earlier today that it is barred from covering the event.

“We were told by the organisers not to allow you to cover the event,” said the official.

Booted out of PTWC last Saturday

Questioned further, the official said Malaysiakini is also barred from covering the programme entirely.

“Two or three other media organisations are also barred from covering the event,” said the official when asked whether Malaysiakini was the only organisation prohibited.

It was only last Saturday that Malaysiakini was booted out of the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), where the Umno annual general assembly was going on, before later being allowed back in.

It comes as no surprise, however, for the Prime Minister’s Department to eject Malaysiakini from covering its events, for this has occurred in several past instances.

But the prohibition today comes as a surprise since this is the first time Malaysiakini is barred from covering a regional conference.