The circulation of international publications which belittle Malaysia and its leaders should not be encouraged, said Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

He told Bernama that while the government has no problem with constructive criticisms, it would not tolerate reports which attacked the credibility of the country's leadership and look down o­n the nation's credibility.

I do not see any reason why such international publications (which belittled the country) should be allowed to continue to circulate within the country, said Syed Hamid after opening the Kepong Umno Division meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

He said this when asked to comment o­n a stinging article o­n Malaysia and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the April 5 issue of The Economist magazine.

Serious action

"I think we have to take serious action (on the matter). Why should we encourage the sale of such magazines in our country?" he said.

He said the authorities should be more careful in vetting publications before allowing them to be circulated in the country although nothing much could be done in terms of their international circulation.

Stressing that the government has no intention to curb press freedom, Abdul Hamid said freedom should not be interpreted as "a free ticket" to fulfil any whims and fancies.

He said what the government hoped for was that they come up with fair and balanced reporting.