As in previous years, malaysiakini journalists have been barred from covering the upcoming Umno general assembly .

The reason? Journalists from the seven-year-old online website do not have the government's press accreditation cards issued by the Information Ministry.

When contacted today, Umno media dan public relation unit head Hafizah Abu Bakar said the party will only issue media passes to journalists with official accreditation cards.

"If you have the accreditation card, then you will be issued the media pass to cover the Umno general assembly," she said. "(Without the card) I would not able to assist you... I only follow the party's directive."

The official media tag is issued through state news agency Bernama to journalists and media organisations recognised by the government.

All journalists from the print and electronic media as well as foreign correspondents have to carry the accreditation cards to enable them to cover official events.

In applying for the official pass, local media organisations must have publishing permits issued by the Internal Security Ministry.

Malaysiakini is caught in a Catch-22 situation - as an Internet media organisation, it is not subjected to the publishing permit regime; but without the permit, it cannot apply for the official media accreditation.

Attempts by malaysiakini to apply for the official press tag from Bernama has been rejected previously on similar grounds.

'We'll be there'

This is not the first time that malaysiakini is barred from covering the Umno assembly as it has been a recurring situation over the past few years.

Nevertheless, malaysiakini journalists were able to cover the event last year despite not being allowed into the main hall where Umno delegates held their meeting.

On Nov 13 when the four-day Umno general assembly kicks off, malaysiakini journalists will again be at the Putra World Trade Centre to cover the function.

"We'll be there despite the ban," said editor-in-chief Steven Gan.

"Our journalists were invited to cover functions of all other Barisan Nasional parties, including MCA, Gerakan and MIC. There's no reason why we should be barred from the Umno general assembly."

The ruling Umno began actively banning malaysiakini soon after the online media exposed the illegal logging by Umno Pahang of a vast swath of peat swamp forests in the state three years ago.

The logging occurred during then Umno secretary-general Khalil Yaacob's watch when he was Pahang mentri besar ( photo, left ).

It is believed that Khalil had issued a party directive that malaysiakini journalists be barred from covering all Umno functions, including its supreme council meetings and general assemblies.

Khalil, who has since retired from politics, is currently Malacca's governor.