PKR's bi-monthly organ Suara Keadilan has become a 'hot target' for the Home Ministry because of its content on the political turmoil in Perak.

pkr suara keadilan confiscate by internal ministry 110209 02 According to party information chief Tian Chua, the ministry has seized nearly 20,000 copies of the Feb 4-11 edition that had the frontpage headlines, 'Perak cabar SPR ke mahkamah ' (Perak challenges EC to court).

At a press conference in the Suara Keadilan office in Brickfields today, he described the latest seizure of Suara Keadilan as the highest since the March 8 general election last year.

Tian said the seizure is part of the "ministry's well-planned operation" after Suara Keadilan had boosted its circulation to 150,000 copies a week.

He also foresees "trouble" for the newsletter's printing permit which will have to be renewed in April.

Seek an explanation

Tian said he would seek an explanation on the confiscations when he meets Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar in Parliament next week.

"PKR condemns the confiscation. People have a right to information and compare news against media organisations that are controlled by Barisan Nasional.

"Maybe the news which we are publishing is making the ruling party uncomfortable. But it cannot be used as an excuse for confiscation,"

he added.

Tian said that the ministry should rightfully provide Suara Keadilan with a written explanation, specifying the articles which allegedly violated printing laws.

"Tell us why. You can't just go around confiscating from distributors," he added.

Assistant marketing manager Marina Awanti Nordin said the seizure of Suara Keadilan last week occurred in at least 10 locations including Baling, Batu Pahat, Ampang and Kuching.

harakah It is also learnt that the Home Ministry has issued warning letters to newspaper distributors in those areas not to sell Suara Keadilan.

PAS' fortnightly newsletter Harakah has also faced the same fate and many copies were also seized in a few states after highlighting the political situation in Perak. Distributors were warned not to sell the Harakah .

Yesterday, the ministry confirmed that it had launched an operation to seize copies of Suara Keadilan and Harakah being sold to the public.

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