PKR director of politics and strategy Tian Chua said that party organ Suara Keadilan will continue to be printed and published until the party receives official notification from the Home Ministry that it is banned.

NONE "We took a stand, we will go on," said Chua (right) during a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

The Batu parliamentarian added that he had even met Deputy Home Minister Lee Chee Leong about the matter but is still waiting for the ministry's final word on whether or not Suara Keadilan is actually banned.

"I asked him directly, does the government intend to ban our paper? If so issue us a letter, say that we are banned.

"You look at our articles and you say they are not right, you can sue and ban our papers. But until now, nothing," added Chua.

So far, he said, they have answered the Home Ministry's show-cause letters but a decision still eludes them.

He said the ministry's statement that they are considering the matter is not good enough.

"If that is so, we cannot wait if the process takes six months. What about the journalists and editors, more than 20 employees, who is going to pay them? What are they going to eat?" he asked.

However, he added that even if the party mouthpiece is banned, they will not go down silently into the night.

"If the ministry says we are banned, we have other avenues, including the Court of Appeal. But this won't arise until the ministry decides on us. I think this matter is straightforward," Chua said firmly.

No ‘Sin Chew' boycott

Quizzed about reports that the party will boycott Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily , he denied the matter.

"We didn't say we are boycotting Sin Chew . It's been played up. We are only urging the media to report honestly and to report according to the (facts). But we don't stop people from reporting negative things about us," assured the PKR elected representative.

He added that the party is open to criticism and does not intend to go on the warpath with any other newspaper other than their nemesis Utusan Malaysia .