The chief editor of political tabloid Kabar Era Pakatan today blasted the Home Ministry’s (KDN) statement yesterday that the publication did not have the permit required for printing.

NONE Mat Zahari Ali ( left ) said the permit for the tabloid, published by Damak Media, was obtained for the fortnightly newspaper - albeit for a publication entitled only as ‘Kabar’ - for a period of one year beginning Dec 28, 2009.

Zahari clarified that ‘Era Pakatan’ was only a motto for the publication, and this had been explained in a letter to the ministry dated April 29, 2010.

"We have already informed KDN that ‘Era Pakatan’ is only a motto for our newspaper. We have not received any notices since then that this was wrong.

"So, for us, there is no longer any problem. But we are very disappointed in their action in confiscating the said newspapers,” he said when contacted.

The Home Ministry was reported yesterday to have seized 6,108 copies of the newspaper based on a complaint from the public and a police report lodged against the publication.

Zahari said he was less than convinced with the reason furnished by the ministry for the confiscations, and alleged the moved was precipitated by “orders from above.”

'No prior notice'

In a statement issued today, meanwhile, Zahari said the seizure lacked professionalism as there was no prior notice issued.

NONE “(It also) raises other doubts (about the confiscation) and affects the credibility of the ministry.

“If there was a police report or complaint from the public, KDN should have investigated (beforehand) and gotten clarification from Kabar ,” he said.

"If KDN is not satisfied or wants us to change the size (of the tabloid's masthead) or anything else that does not accord with its requirements, the ministry should have called Kabar and informed (us), or given us a reminder or notice," he added.

Zahari said KDN should also have known that the permit for the tabloid was for a publication that went by the name 'Kabar', not for one that was called 'Kabar Era Pakatan.'

"Furthermore, the motto of a newspaper can be anything, and it can be changed at any time, because it (the issue) is not tied to (the requirements of) the publishing permit," he added.