The government should repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), says the Editors' Association of Chinese Medium of Malaysia today.

In making the call to mark World Press Freedom Day, the association expressed its regret that the government has not given a favourable response to the petition submitted by 581 journalists last year to Home Minister Abdullah Badawi calling for the repeal of the Act.

Last month, another 370 new signatures were added to the petition renewal the call. [#1] ("Press council proposal to strengthen case for media freedom", April 12) [/#].

"We not only hope the government will reconsider the repeal of the Act, we will like to inform the public about the problems of defamation suits against journalists," the association noted.

In many instances, the defamation suits against journalists asked for damages amounting to millions of ringgit.

The association highlighted that fact that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Rais Yatim as having commented that in some cases the damages awarded to defamation victims were higher than the compensation for cases which involved death or physical disabilities.

"This is not rational and it restricts the freedom of the press," they claimed.

The association called on the Human Rights Commission to look into the issue, stressing that if the law cannot give more space to the media, the media would be repressed from reporting the wrongdoings of those in positions of power.

The association's members include editors from Sin Chew Jit Poh , Nanyang Siang Pau , China Press , Kwong Ming Daily , Kwong Wah and other Chinese-language weekly magazines.

Meanwhile in another development, Harakah said it will be taking legal action against the Home Minister for curtailing its publication, according to the tabloid's managing director, Hishamudin Yahya.

In March, the Home Ministry limited Harakah 's publication from twice a week to twice a month. [#2] ("Move to slash Harakah 's publication frequency condemned", March 1) [/#]

"The frequency of Harakah is never an issue before and so why now?" Hishamudin asked.

Hishamudin contended that although the minister has "absolute discretion" to grant or not to grant a permit, there is no provision within the PPPA that says the he has "absolute discretion" to change the condition of the permit.

"Therefore we have no choice but to take the matter to court," he said.

It is reported that Harakah 's circulation climbed to 377,000 just before last November's election. Its circulation is now 277,000 following government moves to restrict sales to only PAS party members.