The Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court will decide next month whether the publisher and editor of defunct political tabloid Haraki violated the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) by publishing the tabloid without a permit from the Home Affairs Ministry.

According to Penerbitan Pemuda marketing director, Zabidi Morad, Magistrate Habibah Harun announced that she would be delivering her judgement on July 19.

The offices of Pemuda Publishing in Shah Alam, Selangor, which is owned by independent journalist Ahmad Lutfi Othman were raided in May 5, 2000 by Home Ministry officials who confiscated 545 copies of Haraki .

Penerbitan Pemuda was alleged to have committed an offence under Section 5(1) (a) of the PPPA for printing, selling , circulating and distributing any newspaper without a permit.

Permit required

The publishing house was charged more than six months later on Nov 22, 2000. The charge carries a sentence of not more than three years jail or a maximum fine of RM20,000 or both.

Penerbitan Pemuda was represented by lawyer Hanipah Maidin.

Lutfi ( file photo ), a controversial political journalist and former Internal Security Act detainee also had several other publications of his shut down by the government.

This includes bi-monthly Detik , Wasilah , Tamadhun .and

Al-Islah .

In Malaysia, publishers must obtain a permit from the ministry which is renewed annually. This practice has come under fire from civil groups who say it curtails freedom of expression and the press.